MCQ
Q.
Which of the following caves are a series of 29 Buddhist cave temples?
Correct Answer: B
Key Points
Ajanta Caves-
- The Ajanta Caves are a series of 29 Buddhist cave temples in Ajanta, India, some of which date from the 2nd century BC. Encompassing both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist traditions, the Ajanta caves preserve some of the best masterpieces of Buddhist art in India.
- Out of 29, 25 caves were used as Viharas or residential caves while 4 were used as Chaitya or prayer hills.
- It is said that Buddhist monks lived, studied and prayed in Ajanta caves for a long time.
- The Ajanta Caves were carved in the 2nd century BC out of a horseshoe-shaped cliff along the Waghora River.
- The caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.
Ellora caves-
- The Ellora caves, locally known as 'Verul Leni' is located on the Aurangabad - Chalisgaon road at a distance of 30 km north - northwest of Aurangabad, in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
- Ellora is one of the largest rock-cut monastery - temple caves complexes in the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The cave temples and monasteries at Ellora, excavated out of the vertical face of an escarpment, are 26 km north of Aurangabad.
- Sculptors, inspired by Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism, created elaborate rock carvings. Extending in a linear arrangement, the 34 caves contain Buddhist Chaityas or halls of worship, Viharas or monasteries and Hindu and Jain temples.
- Spanning a period of about 600 years between the 5th and 11th century A.D., the earliest excavation here is of the Dhumar Lena (Cave 29).
- The Kailasha temple features the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world.
- During the regime of the Rashtrakuta were the famous Ellora caves of Maharashtra built.
Extra facts:
- Madhya Pradesh- Bagh Caves
- Maharashtra - Ajanta Caves, Bhaja Caves, Elephanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Kanheri Caves
- Karnataka- Badami Caves
- Bihar - Barabar Caves
- Madhya Pradesh- Udaygiri Caves
- Andhra Pradesh - Borra Caves
- Tamilnadu - Varah Caves
