FUN-photos: Incredible & Insane India – 42 Crazy & Chaotic Days – Part 2
December 26, 2016 by Susan Clarke · 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 Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Amazing Ajanta Caves
- This UNESCO World Heritage Site…
…29 Buddhist cave monuments…
…carved into wall of rock 250 feet high…
… 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.
…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.