Aurangabad Caves

The Aurangabad Caves are home to twelve artificial Buddhist temples. Their vantage point, high on an east-west hill in Aurangabad, provides breathtaking views. The carvings in the Aurangabad Caves are on par with the best art in Ajanta. These caves are among the top places to visit in Aurangabad, attracting many visitors to see these sights.

Aurangabad Caves History

There isn't a lot of historical information about the Aurangabad Caves because, unlike other caves, they don't have any writing on them. Historiographers say they have roots in the sixth and seventh centuries. The first written record of this place is at Kanheri Caves, which are also a group of rock-cut caves in Maharashtra. These are one of the few caves in India where you can see Buddhist art from the first millennium CE. The caves have the statues of Ganesha and Durga there.

Aurangabad Caves Architectural Style

Aurangabad Caves are made of soft basalt rocks that have been cut into shapes. They show early Buddhist construction and have Buddhist shrines and living quarter’s called viharas.

The site includes 12 caves, and experts have named them numerically and split them into three groups. The Western Group includes Caves 1 through 5, while the Eastern Group includes Caves 6 through 9. The third group is comprised of Cave 10, Cave 11, and Cave 12, respectively. 

Cave 3 is the biggest of the bunch. It has a big veranda with four pillars supporting it and a shrine in the middle of the main hall. In the group, Cave 7 is the cave that has been developed the most. It features a spacious porch supported by four pillars, two pilasters, and two cells on each side. Along with that, it has carvings of Buddhist gods like Nandikesvara, Varaha, Ganesha, Manjusri, Avalokitesvara, and more.

Buddhist Influence

The Aurangabad Caves have a lot of Buddhist impact in their intricate rock-cut architecture and carvings. These caves were used as retreats for monks, and they show how Buddhist art and beliefs changed over time. A lot of people who want to learn about the city's spiritual past and cultural heritage include these places in their Aurangabad tour packages.

Cave Classification

The breathtaking Aurangabad Caves are twelve ancient Buddhist caverns cut out of solid rock. They are all located on a hill. There are both Viharas (monastic halls) and Chaityas (prayer halls) in each group, which are based on region and style. The different stages of Buddhist architecture can be seen in these holes.