Sunday, August 10, 2014

Maharwada Cave, Ellora

Cave 5 at Ellora known as Maharwada Cave as it was used by local Mahar tribes people as shelter during monsoon. This cave is dated to 7th century AD. is a largest Vihara of the Buddhist group here.  The cave was used probably as an assembly hall or for delivering lectures. 



It has a grand assembly hall stretching 36m long supported by 24 massive pillars arranged in two rows from front to back dividing the hall into central nave and two side aisles. 



The central nave is further divided into three passages by providing two rows of raised rock-cut benches, which run along the nave. 



It has seventeen cells.The main shrine door is guarded by the usual Padmapani and Vajrapani. On the back wall of the shrine is carved Buddha figure seated in Pralambapadasana in Dharmachakrapravartana mudra. 



32 comments:

Vee said...

Oh. I forgot that I can't have the photo enlarged on a separate page. I really wanted to see the meeting hall closer. I'm a little concerned about the ceiling. =D

Cloudia said...

Thank you for sharing these wonders!




ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^= . <3 . >< } } (°>

Ela said...

Really amazing place !
It would be wonderful to visit sometime !
Great photos !

eileeninmd said...

Awesome tour of the cave.. I like the Buddha carving.. Thank you for sharing your visit. Have a happy week!

Lorrie said...

A fascinating glimpse into the past.

betty-NZ said...

What an interesting place. Good to know it's there in case it's needed.

Al said...

What an amazing cave, great captures.

Donna Janke said...

What exquisite carving in this cave.

Jeevan said...

Wow! This rock-cute cave is amazing in length and depth... Great photos

Fun60 said...

That hall is huge!

Sharon Wagner said...

That room is indeed massive. Very interesting.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful -- I always feel as if I had walked along with you .. your pictures are lovely.

sunshine said...

A stunning and interesting place.

Out And About Global said...

Wow, very impressive.

Photo Cache said...

another good post.

Sylvia K said...

Oh, I do agree with Ela, an amazing place it is indeed! Wonderful captures for the day as always, Rajesh!! Have a great week!!

Leovi said...

Wonderful photos, awesome !!!

Gattina said...

Wow ! that's very old and very interesting !

carol l mckenna said...

Always fascinating photos of special historical places ~ thanks,

artmusedog and carol (A Creative Harbor)

Roger Owen Green said...

as always, great detail

ROG, ABC Wednesday

Reader Wil said...

How impressive are those caves and how inventive are people to create all those spaces for various means.
I wish you a great week.
Wil, ABCW Team.

Hildred said...

I am fascinated by all the underground architecture throughout the world.

ellen b. said...

Looks like an interesting place to explore!

Unknown said...

Nice :) Ellora is already on my travel wish list :)

Unknown said...

Mine is abt Ellora too :)


PhenoMenon, ABCW Team
http://throodalookingglass.com/2014/08/ellora/

Unknown said...

Even I went there but couldn't take such awesome photos.. Nice post

Ravish Mani said...

Amazing captures :)

Arun Muthusamy said...

beautiful cave. Nice pics

Anonymous said...

I missed this place to visit :) Nice shots

Saru Singhal said...

Gems of India. Beautiful pictures.

Amit Agarwal said...

Great pics of a great place!

Anonymous said...

So impressive!