Period of construction
The Ajanta caves date from 200 BCE to about 680 CE. These were built in two phases of time periods : the early Buddhist Hinayana phase (100 BCE-100 CE) and the later Mahayana phase (460-680 CE).
In comparison, the Ellora caves are younger, built between the 5th and the 10th century CE. Among these the Buddhist caves are the oldest (5th to 7th century), followed by the Hindu caves (6th to 8th century CE) and the Jain caves (6th to 10th century CE).
Location and structure of the complex
The Ajanta caves are situated at a site 104 kilometres from the city of Aurangabad. These are laid in the scarped side of the amygdaloid trap rock, in the shape of a great crescent/arc cut by the curving course of the Waghora river.
The Ellora caves also called Verul, Elapura or Elura are at the archaeological site 29 kilometres northwest of Aurangabad city. These are spread across a distance of 2kms and in no particular formation
The two sites are 98 kilometres away from each other.
Patrons and Sponsors
The Ajanta caves were sponsored by various dynasties and donors but the majority of the donations came from the Satvahana dynasty in the Hinayana phase and the Vakataka dynasty in the Mahayana phase.
The Ellora caves were primarily built under the rule of the Kalachuri, the Chalukya and the Rashtrakuta dynasties.
For a detailed explanation, see: Tushar Sadhu's answer to Who built the Ajanta and Ellora caves?
Architecture
Rock-cut architecture reached a high degree of perfection in the region as Western Ghats provided suitable sites for excavation and carving. However, this is a marked difference in the style of architecture in the two cave complexes.
The Ajanta caves have been excavated out of the basalt cliff by penetrating into the perpendicular rocky face. Thus these caves only house Viharas and Chaitya halls. Also, these are famous for the murals and paintings which have stood the test of time.
The Ellora Caves are unique because the visitor can see three styles of architecture at one place, 12 Buddhist, 17 Brahmanical and 5 Jain caves being located here side by side. Unlike the Ajanta cave temples, they are excavated in the sloping sides of a hill and not in a perpendicular cliff. These have Viharas, Chaitya halls, temples and edifices.
Discovery
The Ajanta caves were discovered in 1819, by John Smith, who was a British officer of the 28th Cavalry for the Madras Presidency. This was a serendipitous discovery during a hunting expedition in the forests. The first cave discovered under the undergrowth was Cave 10 and subsequently the others.
In contrast, the Ellora caves were never “lost”. There are several written records and documentations that show the caves were regularly visited. The 10th century Arab geographer Al-Mas’udi has left accounts of these cave temples in his writings. In 1352 CE Sultan Hasan Gangu Bahmani (the founder of the Bahmani Sultanate) camped at the site and described the caves in his travelogues. French traveller Jean de Thévenot wrote about his Ellora visit in 1667.
The differences aside, both cave complexes are a monumental example of the artistic and architectural expertise of their times.
The Ajanta caves date from 200 BCE to about 680 CE. These were built in two phases of time periods : the early Buddhist Hinayana phase (100 BCE-100 CE) and the later Mahayana phase (460-680 CE).
In comparison, the Ellora caves are younger, built between the 5th and the 10th century CE. Among these the Buddhist caves are the oldest (5th to 7th century), followed by the Hindu caves (6th to 8th century CE) and the Jain caves (6th to 10th century CE).
Location and structure of the complex
The Ajanta caves are situated at a site 104 kilometres from the city of Aurangabad. These are laid in the scarped side of the amygdaloid trap rock, in the shape of a great crescent/arc cut by the curving course of the Waghora river.
The Ellora caves also called Verul, Elapura or Elura are at the archaeological site 29 kilometres northwest of Aurangabad city. These are spread across a distance of 2kms and in no particular formation
Patrons and Sponsors
The Ajanta caves were sponsored by various dynasties and donors but the majority of the donations came from the Satvahana dynasty in the Hinayana phase and the Vakataka dynasty in the Mahayana phase.
The Ellora caves were primarily built under the rule of the Kalachuri, the Chalukya and the Rashtrakuta dynasties.
For a detailed explanation, see: Tushar Sadhu's answer to Who built the Ajanta and Ellora caves?
Architecture
Rock-cut architecture reached a high degree of perfection in the region as Western Ghats provided suitable sites for excavation and carving. However, this is a marked difference in the style of architecture in the two cave complexes.
The Ajanta caves have been excavated out of the basalt cliff by penetrating into the perpendicular rocky face. Thus these caves only house Viharas and Chaitya halls. Also, these are famous for the murals and paintings which have stood the test of time.
The Ellora Caves are unique because the visitor can see three styles of architecture at one place, 12 Buddhist, 17 Brahmanical and 5 Jain caves being located here side by side. Unlike the Ajanta cave temples, they are excavated in the sloping sides of a hill and not in a perpendicular cliff. These have Viharas, Chaitya halls, temples and edifices.
Discovery
The Ajanta caves were discovered in 1819, by John Smith, who was a British officer of the 28th Cavalry for the Madras Presidency. This was a serendipitous discovery during a hunting expedition in the forests. The first cave discovered under the undergrowth was Cave 10 and subsequently the others.
In contrast, the Ellora caves were never “lost”. There are several written records and documentations that show the caves were regularly visited. The 10th century Arab geographer Al-Mas’udi has left accounts of these cave temples in his writings. In 1352 CE Sultan Hasan Gangu Bahmani (the founder of the Bahmani Sultanate) camped at the site and described the caves in his travelogues. French traveller Jean de Thévenot wrote about his Ellora visit in 1667.
The differences aside, both cave complexes are a monumental example of the artistic and architectural expertise of their times.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete