Lesser Known Aurangabad Caves Tour, Maharashtra
The lesser known Aurangabad caves is a worthy prelude to the well known Ajanta and Ellora caves. Situated at a distance of 9km from Aurangabad Railway station, they can be easily accessed by the local modes of transport there. This post has everything you need to know about Aurangabad Caves in Aurangabad, Maharashtra.
Aurangabad Caves Tour
It took approximately 2 hours to complete Aurangabad Caves Tour. 13 caves here lie scattered on two sides of a mountain and are in two sets; the eastern set and the western set, separated by a distance of one and half kilometers. First set are the incomplete set of caves with old-fashioned pillars and obscure ornamentation. You can hire a taxi to cover this distance to save time and energy. We did that.
Aurangabad caves too are not natural caves, but are carved out of mountains with primitive tools. Buddhists residing here then chiseled these cave temples between 6th and the 8th centuries.
Buddhist caves in Aurangabad
The caves here have sculptural works which ranks with the best in India. Its presence however is shadowed by the more popular Ajanta and Ellora Caves. Lack of inscriptions inside the caves is a major reason of hindrance to dating them. Based on comparative study of themes of the statues inside with those in other caves, historians have done the dating of these caves.
Unfortunately these set of caves are not in the UNESCO world heritage list of India. So nobody is pouring in money for the maintenance and that explains the pitiful state of the caves here.
Reclining Buddha in Aurangabad Caves
Statues of Buddha and Hindu Gods in the Caves
The pictures below …Bodhisatva Padmapani (Lotus in Hand), a demi-god with a crown encircled by snakeheads, and female figures… there are many such figures with elaborate head dresses, necklaces and some are with garlands in hand.
This picture is the world famous sculpture panel of a dancer with her troupe.
Thousands of wooden constructions in our country have yielded to decay, while sculptures of the time-defying rock have withstood decay for centuries. But will these stone compositions be able to withstand the vandalism and looting that is going on here unchecked?
The cells which may have served as the living quarters of the monks, one of them had a stone bed too. It was very dark in some of the caves and I had a tough time focusing the lens to get good capture.
Shrine of Buddha in Cave
Cave 1 – The Must See Cave
Most common theme in these caves, Buddha seated in a preaching posture. He is seen seated on a double lotus in padmasana, with his hands displaying the dharma-chakra mudra.
There are huge statues of Buddha, some as tall as 7.5ft resembling the ones in Ajanta Caves. Other impressive sculptures were these.
In the picture below he is flanked by Boddhisatva Vajrpani (thunderbolt in hand) on the right and Padmapani on the left and celestial beings hovering over his shoulder. I found this in two other places too.
Buddha seated in a preaching posture
Richly carved columns…
The rocks here are Basalt rocks which are brittle in nature. With time these precious sculptures will vanish, but until then everybody should visit these timeless wonders at least once.
Aurangabad Caves Tour Review and Tips
- Two sets of caves – roads lead up to both. You can walk up to these caves or get dropped by your private vehicle.
- Not recommended for differently-able people and very senior citizens with weak knees.
- Yes, photo shoot worthy and great place for art lovers.
- You get great views of Aurangabad city from the caves above.
- Take water along. During summers it can get very hot and not advisable to visit mid day.
- No washroom around.
- For eateries and restaurants you will have to come down.
- No scope of shopping too.
- Hire a guide to support locals and also for good explanation on iconography of the caves, how they were built, and what these caves were used for.
Location and How to Reach Aurangabad Caves
The Aurangabad Caves are located between the Satara and Sihyachal range of hills in Aurangabad. And it is 2km from the famous Bibi Ka Maqbara
There are plenty of state transport buses plying around this sightseeing place. Plan the return trip too if you hire taxis beforehand because you may not quickly find private taxis.
Tickets and Open Timings
Here the tickets cost much lesser than the transport charges. It is Rs25 for adults (Indians). Aurangabad Caves are open from 9am to 5pm everyday.
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(This post was first published on 8th March 2008.)
A nice prelude to an equally important history of India depicted by these beautifully carved statues. I think it is a must visit site for explorers looking for something new.
I have been to these caves and for sure they are a piece of marvel. You have captured the essence so well! 🙂 Thank you for posting.
The Chalukyas and Rashtrakuta style if Architecture .. 🙂
Living in Maharashtra since so many years and still haven’t visited these. Great pics Indrani! 🙂
We had visited this place during school days as a part of educational trip. It was a nice experience, though now forgotten in the cobwebs of memory.
The sculptor works are so evocative. Hope the people concerned realize the worth of saving these.
Brilliant place! You’ve captured some lovely shots of this historic treasure. I am planning to visit Ajanta-Ellora this October, so this post is really egging me on 🙂
They are most beautiful ! Sadly we are fast losing lots of sites like this thanks to the lack of preservation and maintenance.
Sad state of affairs, I see. These are places that need to be preserved as they are showcases of ancient Indian art and architecture. Let’s hope something will be done before it is too late.
Why is it lesser known? Compared to Ajantha?
Yes Shri compared to Ajanta and Ellora caves it is lesser known.
I have seen these caves in school days. Its beautiful.
This kinda caves are repositories of the past. Very well captured
Wow ! Did not know about this. What to name to tell to local taxi person? If we say “aurangabad caves” is that sufficient or there is any specifiec name to this place?
Thanks in advance.
Seems like very ancient ones.. Beautiful capture dear 🙂
Amazing Sculptures.. Beautiful clicks Ma’am 🙂
Thanks, Indrani, for exploring these caves and describing them beautifully. It’s very sad that no one is paying attention to to it because it’s not in UNESCO heritage list.
Thanks for letting us know. It very much looks like Kanheri Caves in Mumbai. Your photos are amazing.
Wow what an amazing place. Thanks for the link, Much appreciated!
Reminded me of some rock cut caves I’ve seen in Udaygiri in Madhya Pradesh.
Lovely shots.
Thanks Shubha.
Hi Indrani
I hv visited the caves but once . But their beauty is etched in my mind . You hv some very beautiful pics . It truly is a wonderful place of unimaginably fascinating art. I do hope more is done to conserve it.
Great travelogue.
Raji, I feel the same too!
Thanks, Kalyan.
Good day to you too, David Mcmohan! You can always revisit us. Thanks.
G’day from Australia – I came here through your link on Flyingstars.
Having grown up in India, I wish I had enough time to see EVERYTHING in that amazing country.
That second shot is a beautiful perspective.
WoW…some very beautifully captured shots form this place. It is lovely viewing the architecture of this place through your lens….wonderful!
Such lovely photographs of such a wonderful place. Our own country has so much to offer in terms of artistic and architectural wonders – not to mention the natural ones – one lifetime will never be enough to take them all in.