Architecture of Maharashtra

Entrance to one of the rock-cut Ajanta Caves.[1]

Maharashtra state in India is known for its Famous caves and cliffs. It is said that the varieties found in Maharashtra are wider than the caves and rock-cut architecture found in the rock cut areas of Egypt, Assyria, Persia and Greece.[citation needed] The Buddhist monks first started these caves in the 2nd century BC, in search of serene and peaceful environment for meditation, and they found these caves on the hillsides.[2][1]

The Grishneshwar Temple was restored by Ahilyabai Holkar in the 18th century

Buddhist and Hindu cave temples at Ellora and the Ajanta Caves contain fine artistic design elements and India's oldest wall paintings can be seen here. Maharashtra's famous rock-cut caves have several distinct artistic elements though sculptures of the time are regarded to modern viewers as stiff and not dynamic. The Buddhist caves, particularly the older ones, are either temples (Chaityas) or monasteries (Viharas).

  1. ^ a b "Ajanta Caves". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 2018-02-01. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
  2. ^ "Ellora Caves". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 2018-12-15. Retrieved 2018-12-19.