@Ajanta

Am starting this season of AtoZ with stories from my road trip in Maharashtra that we did late last year. The caves of Ajanta and Ellora is what lured Pheno to do this back-breaking road-trip(
Mumbai - Bangalore is almost 1200km one way)........ So A is for Ajanta....

Caves of Ajanta are not just another tourist attraction but also holds religious significance for Buddhists across the world. The day we were visiting, the place was teaming with Buddhist Monks from Thailand.....



Did you know, Ajanta caves is full of priceless fresco Paintings? I for one didn't know about it. The painting of Padmapani with Louts takes the cake though.....



The sculptures from that era leaves me in awe.... Considering they are from centuries ago and they must have just had the basic of the tools to chisel these out.....




But my favorite should be this reclining Buddha ... the peace it exudes............


I was definitely awed by this place! Next time you are in Mumbai or Pune, do make a weekend trip to this place....
And thus we kick-start 2014 AtoZ Challenge - A is for Ajanta

23 comments:

  1. Those paintings and the architecture take you to another world itself! Breathtaking they are!
    Ishithaa
    #AtoZChallenge

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  2. Lovely pictures and a great narrative, Meena. I'm putting Aurangabad on my must-visit list.

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  3. All these Buddha statues gives a soothing feeling no matter, what ... :)

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  4. Stunning pictures!! My mom and my brother visited this place long ago. I still have to go visit. Must on my go-to list

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  5. Beautiful posts and pics Meena, love our historic spots and Ajanta is one place I am yet to visit and anything with the Buddha connection gladdens n soothes my heart. Looking fwd to the rest of your posts :)

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  6. Oh.... I have been there and seeing these pictures I feel like going back there again!! Great start :)

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  7. I had been there about 30 years back and remember being awestruck seeing the intricacy and perfection which had obviously been done with basic equipment and without high-tech lighting, plus the fact that all the work has retained its beauty after all these years!

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  8. Beautiful pictures Meena! I visited Ajanta and Ellora a couple of years back, and had the most amazing experience in such close vicinity of the greatest artistic period of Indian civilization. The Padmapani at Ajanta is beyond words! An experience of another realm! Nice post!

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  9. lovely pictures... I have not yet visited this place...but such places do give you a serene feeling

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  10. Oh yes, that is a place I wanna visit! I have never been there, Ajanta looks beautiful :-)Great kick off for the challenge Meena:-) Looking so forward to the rest of your posts:-)

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  11. Just made me want to visit the place ! Lovely pics, Meena and yes, the reclining buddha is a masterpiece. We have such a rich heritage !

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  12. Ajanta Ellora caves have been on my wishlist for long! Thank you for the lovely peek! :)

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  13. Beautiful scenery, My sister is going to India later this year, I'll tell her about this magnificent place. Great post :)

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  14. Ajanta caves have some extraordinary wall paintings and sculptures! Must visit them sometimes!
    Lovely pics! :)

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  15. I regret not having visited this place... will do it one :) thanks for sharing the pictures

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  16. I went there as a child and I still remember the architecture of the caves.. your posts reminded me of the trip :-)

    Richa

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  17. You did Bangalore-Mumbai by road??!! Remind me not to introduce Pheno to my husband. He drives everywhere too :P I love the Elephanta caves. Haven't visited Ajanta. Must see now :)

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  18. Very tempting to visit. And hats off to Pheno for his enthusiasm! :)
    I must see the Padmapani painting some day! Is it a World Heritage site?

    Love

    Vidya Sury
    Rocking the A to Z Challenge with Team Damyanti
    Affirmations
    The ABCs of Living with Type 2 Diabetes

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  19. What a cool place! Thank you for sharing here. ♥ Loved reading about it and seeing the pictures.

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  20. I've visited the Batu Caves in Malaysia, but the 3rd image of the Ajanta Cave was amazing! Great post. :)

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  21. Beautiful photos Mins. :) not able to get the best resolution presently but will drop by in the evening to see from PC.

    A travel theme suits the travelers Menons very much :) looking forward to the rest of April.

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  22. Amazing Picturess!! :) I always wanted to visit Ajanta and Ellora after reading a series in Historical fiction (Tamil) - Sivagamiyin Sabatham. Now, your post made me decide!! By this year I will make it. I hope. ;)

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  23. I missed this the last time I visited Mumbai.. but then, that was a long time ago. The sculptures and paintings are awe-inspiring.. would love to visit those one day.. :)

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