- The rock-cut cave temples of Ellora were excavated from the vertical face of the Charanandri Hills.
- Situated on an ancient north-south trade route, Ellora developed as an important stopping point for pilgrims and merchants and probably developed as a result of patronage from various royal Indian dynasties.
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| Ellora |
Tourist attraction :
- Ellora's monastic temple complex represents the work of successive Buddhist.
- There are 34 caves on the site, 12 of which were excavated by the followers of Buddhism.
- These are the earliest structures on the site, being dated between circa 450 and 700 AD.
- The entrance to Cave 2 is decorated with massive sculptures of door guardians (dvarapalas).
- The pillared hall has side galleries containing image niches with a shrine dedicated to the Buddha at the far end, a layout which would allow pradakshina (ritual circumambulation).
- Cave 5 is similar in layout although the side galleries contain small accommodation cells with two low stone benches stretching the length of the hall, suggesting that this cave would probably have been used as a place for preaching and instruction of novice monks.