Ellora caves are 34 in number. They are carved into the sides of a hill, 30 km from
Aurangabad. The caves remain as the finest example of cave-temple architecture. They have elaborate porticos and beautifully decorated interiors. These structures belonging to 350 - 700 AD, represent the three faiths of
Hinduism,
Buddhism and Jainism.
An important feature is the Kailasa temple which has been carved out of a single block of stone. It is the world's largest monolith and the gateway, pavilion, assembly hall, sanctum and tower are carved out of a single rock. There is the Dumar Lena cave which is similar to the famous cave-temple at Elephanta, and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The Jain caves are situated about a mile from the Kailasa temple. There is a cave which has a beautiful shrine decorated with fine carvings of a lotus flower on the roof, and a
yakshi on a lion under a mango tree. There are also some caves with the grand statues of Parasnath. The other Jain caves contain the images of
Tirthankars, and one of them, has a seated figure of Mahavir.
