FUN-photos: Incredible & Insane India – 42 Crazy & Chaotic Days – Part 2

December 26, 2016 by · Comments Off on FUN-photos: Incredible & Insane India – 42 Crazy & Chaotic Days – Part 2 

20 Days – Nagerhole National Park…for more safari…Chikmagalur…and temple touring…Historical Hampi…with its Rocks and Ruins…Aurangabad and the Elaborate Ellora & Amazing Ajanta Caves… carved out of solid rock hillsides…Multi Cultural Cochin…called the “Queen of the Arabian Sea”…Kerala…land of Coconuts & Curry…on a Heavenly Houseboat for a backwaters cruise…Picturesque Periyar National Park…Magnificent Madurai Monuments…and Marvelous Mamallapuram…for more monolithic… Indian rock-cut architecture.

FUN-travel: Amazing Ajanta Caves

November 26, 2016 by · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Amazing Ajanta Caves 

  • This UNESCO World Heritage Site…

…29 Buddhist cave monuments…

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…carved into wall of rock 250 feet high…aj1

… include paintings and rock cut sculptures.

  • Built in two phases…

…first group starting around the 2nd century BC…

…with second group of caves…

…built around 400–650…

…included monasteries…

…and worship halls…

…of different Buddhist traditions.

  • Among the finest surviving examples…

…of ancient Indian art…

…particularly expressive paintings…

…presenting emotion through…

…gesture…

…pose…

…and form.

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  • Cave paintings also depict…aj3

…the past lives and rebirths of the Buddha…

…along with rock-cut sculptures…

…of Buddhist deities.

  • Caves served as a monsoon retreat…

…for monks…

…and a resting site…

…for merchants…

…and pilgrims…

…in ancient India.

FUN-fact – The Ajanta Caves were covered by jungle until accidentally “discovered” in 1819 by John Smith, a colonial British officer on a tiger hunting party.