Ajanta Ellora

 Last week we made a trip to Aurangabad. We had a direct flight from here.we stayed in Lemon tree hotel and liked it. It’s totally value for money, food was also good and I have rarely seen so much variety anywhere in breakfast. And for me being a vegetarian it was a boon that non veg section was totally separate.

First day we went to Jyotirlings.. Grishneshwar.. it was 30 minutes drive from our hotel. If one wants to do any pooja, go to their office, they have fixed rates, choose it and they take you inside. For only darshan you can stand in the queue.we did Rudrabhishek . There men have to be bare waist upward. 

Ellora caves were our next .. just one km from there. There is entrance ticket and ticket for e vehicle which can leave you and pick you from 3 spots. Guide is your choice. Caves are spread in 3-4 km area. We took a guide also and  evehicle dropped us  at caves with Jain temple carvings. Second was kailash temple with stone carvings of full depiction of Ramayana and Mahabharata and huge shivling 2000 yrs old and third area of caves has Buddha statue and all about Buddhism. Kailash temple is monolithic and constructed from top and then bottom. All amazing example of our heritage and master pieces on carving. One needs to walk a lot and many steps  to up & down and sometimes on uneven surface. It takes two hours but otherwise one can spend whole day there.

Next day we went to Shanishingnapur, it’s 1.45 hrs journey. Earlier there people never use to lock houses or shops but now it’s normal. It’s Shani Temple , open 24 hours.

Third day we went Ajanta caves, it’s 2 hours journey and road is so bad that you feel frustrated. There government buses are only allowed to reach the spot. It’s 3-4 lm distance. There one can have a porter or chair carriages taken by men. Because there are two many steps and steep also. It was tough for me,and I was scared of sitting in carriage. So I went till 16 no only. There are bhagwan buddhas statues in the main and meditation areas and frescos on walls and pillars, roofs telling the stories about Buddha, life and his his different lives.

After 16, there are 4 caves where Buddha is shown when he took Nirvana and their paintings are in better condition 

N