Half day city sightseeing. Apart from Bibi-Ka-Maqbara and Panchakki most of the monuments or mosques like the Kali Masjid, Shahganj Masjid, Chuk Masjid or Lal Masjid and just past-by visits as they are situated in dense, congested areas and no parking is possible close to these places. A short visit to Aurangabad caves in conjunction with Bibi-Ka-Maqbara would be worthwhile. A certain vantage point from the caves gives excellent views of Aurangabad city and surroundings.
On the north-east of Aurangabad, date from around 200 BC to 650 AD. As Ellora developed and Buddhism gradually declined, the Ajanta Caves were abandoned and gradually forgotten. But in 1819 a British hunting party stumbled upon them, and their remote beauty was soon unveiled. Their isolation contributed to the fine state of preservation in which some of their remarkable paintings remain to this day. Ajanta is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Ellora Caves – which encompass 34 rock-cut shrines representing Buddhist, Hindu and Jain art dating from the 4th to 9th century AD. The most remarkable among them is the Kailash Temple, meant to be a replica of Lord Shivas celestial abode, Kailash. It is the best example of rock-cut architecture and the engineering skills of the times.
The Ajanta Caves have 30 rock cut Bhuddhist caves. All paintings show heavy religious influence and centre around Buddha, Bodhisattvas, incidents from the life of Buddha and the Jatakas. The paintings are executed on a ground of mud-plaster in the tempera technique. The basic designs of the caves are called ‘Chaitya grihas’ and ‘Viharas’. Five caves are Buddhist cathedrals and the remaining 25 are monasteries. Ellora Caves – which encompass 34 rock-cut shrines representing Buddhist, Hindu and Jain art dating from the 4th to 9th century AD. The most remarkable among them is the Kailash Temple, meant to be a replica of Lord Shivas celestial abode, Kailash. It is the best example of rock-cut architecture and the engineering skills of the times.