Ancient Ellora

The magnificent Ellora caves are now part of UNESCO‟s World Heritage list. It is locally known as “Verul Leni‟. It is located on the Aurangabad-Chalisgaon road at a distance of 30 km north-northwest of Aurangabad, in Maharashtra.

Ellora was originally known as Elur and Elapura due to its location near the Elaganga River which rises from the nearby hills.

Built between the 5th and 10th centuries this monastic temple complex represents the work of successive Buddhist, Hindu and Jain groups. There are 34 caves on the site, 12 of which were excavated by the followers of Buddhism. Caves13 to 29 are the Hindu temples. Dating back to the 9th and 10th century, caves 30 to 34 are the Jain temples.

The importance of Ellora during the early centuries of the Christian era is also understood by the findings of coins of Satavahanas, the ruling dynasty during the period.

Most of the Rashtrakuta monuments are found at Ellora, it has been suggested that the early Rashtrakuta capital was situated in the vicinity of the Ellora caves in the time of Dantidurga who was the founder and first ruler of the dynasty.
Ancient Ellora