The caves and rock-cut temples at Ellora are

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Q: 76 (IAS/1994)
The caves and rock-cut temples at Ellora are

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History

question_exam: 

IAS

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keywords: 

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The caves and rock-cut temples at Ellora are Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain.

Ellora is an archaeological site located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India. It is renowned for its impressive collection of rock-cut caves and temples that were carved out of the Charanandri Hills during the 6th and 10th centuries CE.

The site comprises a total of 34 caves, which are numbered sequentially. These caves represent a diverse range of religious and artistic traditions.

Caves 1 to 12 are predominantly Buddhist in nature and were created between the 5th and 7th centuries CE. These caves include monasteries (viharas) and prayer halls (chaityas) adorned with intricate sculptures and decorative motifs.

Caves 13 to 29 are dedicated to Hindu deities and were constructed between the 7th and 9th centuries CE. These Hindu caves feature elaborately carved shrines, mandapas, and sculptures representing various Hindu gods and goddesses.

Caves 30 to 34 are Jain caves, built between the 9th and 10th centuries CE. These caves showcase Jain temples, monasteries, and statues of Jain Tirthankaras.

The Ellora caves are a remarkable testament to the religious and artistic diversity of ancient India, with representations of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism all present at the site.