Imagine a sheer cliff the size of Niagara Falls (the Canadian and American Falls together, about 2 KM) which has about 30 cave monasteries and temples carved right into the rock. Ajanta and Ellora (two sites about 60 km apart), each cover about 2 KM of cathedral like cave spaces with ornate rock sculptures and paintings inside. At both sites, a single rock face has been carved into temples for worship and ritual, and for a meeting with one's mysterious self in the inner sanctum.

Ajanta's cave temples were carved by hand 2300 years ago, and have been elaborated upon for a further 1000 years. Ajanta's inspiration was Buddha's teaching. Shortly after Buddha's death 2400 years ago, the monks/artisans at Ajanta worked for centuries to create a sacred space that still inspires awe. At Ellora, the same grandness of scale and purpose is evident but this space, begun in the 7th century AD is a Tantric conception, both Buddhist and Hindu.

Ajanta is grand and calm, the seated Buddha visible everywhere in various postures including meditation, teaching and reassuring while Ellora teems with symbolic Tantric imagery depicting the Hero's ascent into the mystery behind self and world. The ascent in the Hindu Tantric worldview culminates in the Hero becoming Shiva-Parvati, the primary duality which is also non-dual. In the inner Sanctum at Ajanta, one meets the Buddha, while at Ellora it is the Lingam-Yoni.

AJANTA MUSIC SLIDESHOW

ELLORA MUSIC SLIDESHOW