When our tour agent first mentioned going to see caves, I wasn’t so keen on the idea; but I trusted her judgment. So glad that we did! These are not traditional caves in the way you might think. Rather they are ancient temples & monasteries carved out of solid rock with vibrant, magnificent, imaginative paintings still in their original colors. Needless to say, both sites are UNESCO World Heritage sites

The Ellora Caves are located about an hour drive from Aurangabad.

The temples & monasteries carved out of & into rock were constructed over 350 years in the 6th – 10th Centuries CE. They are hewn out of a vertical rock face stretching over several kilometers. The structures are both Hindu & Buddhist.

They were originally started to provide monks with a safe & dry place to stay on their travels throughout India.

Each cave became more & more intricate. In the first cave our guide did a small chant for us. The acoustics were mesmerizing!

One structure rivals & even surpasses Petra in Jordan & the rock-hewn churches in Lalibela, Ethiopia, in scope, scale, & intricate rock carvings.

The second day we drove 2.5 hours to the Ajanta Caves which are all Buddhist.

After falling into disuse due to constant wars & being covered by the jungle, the caves were rediscovered in 1819 by British Captain John Smith while he was hunting a tiger. Our guide even guided Smith’s great, great grandson to this site a few years ago.

The caves are cut from & into a rock wall in a horseshoe- shaped gorge. There are 30 caves here; but, many are unfinished because the sponsoring king died which meant funding stopped to finish the caves.

Unlike the Ellora Caves, many caves have paintings on their walls & ceilings that depict Buddha’s life & teachings. Because the paints were made from minerals, they have lasted 1,500 years & have never been repainted or touched up.

Even though they were smaller in size than the Ellora Caves, the structures carved from stone were just as beautiful.

Our guide told us that when they were in use, each cave would be occupied with monks & their followers.

Then, we tried to get enlightened & follow a monk’s life.

Or, maybe just be a little crazy.

We were once again very fortunate to have a kind & knowledgeable guide. He was able to explain the meaning behind many carvings & paintings as well as explain how these caves were carved with simple explanations. I feel I now understand Hinduism a little better. I know I enjoyed each site more with his knowledgeable background.

We enjoyed the best Indian biryani at our hotel in Aurangabad. When I told the chef it was the best biryani we ever had, he wanted to get his picture with us. He also gave me my new favorite snack food Bhakarwadi to take along on our trip.