and geese with human forms of 'Yakshas', 'Kinneras' (half human and half
bird) 'Gandharvas' (divine musicians), 'Apsaras' (heavenly dancers), which
were of concern to the people of that time. All of them decorated with
intricacy. Their half-closed eyes giving an air of meditation. After the tour
back Aurangabad, for an overnights stay.
Day 25:
After breakfast take a sight seeing tour of Ellora. 30 km away
from Aurangabad in a smal l vi l lage of Verul , are the
impressive Ellora caves. Intricately carved into the sides of a
basaltic hill of the Sahyadri Mountain this world
heritage site is one of the best examples of rock - cut caves in the whole
world. It is the meeting point of three faiths, Buddhist, Jain and Hindu. There
are 34 caves in all. 12 Buddhist (600 -800 A.D.), 17 Hindu (900A.D.) and 5
Jain caves (800 1000 A.D.). The most famous of all the Ellora caves is the
Kailash cave. It is dedicated to lord Shiva and has many stories depicting the
life of Shiva and therefore it has assumed the name of Kailash, the abode of
Shiva. A figure of goddess Lakshmi seated on a lotus flower in water is
shown at the entrance. Before that figures of Ganesh and Durga can be seen.
The cave has huge Shivalingam on the first floor. This lavishly carved cave
has been cut from one rock and is world's largest monolithic cave. Moreover
this stupendous edifice, was begun from the top of the rock and worked
slowly down to the floor, creating gateway, courtyard, pavilion vestibule and
tower along the way with beautiful figures. There are figures of Dashavataras
of Vishnu, and panels of stories from the great epics of Ramayana and
Mahabharata. An important figure of Lanka King Ravana, trying to shake the
Kailash, is seen along with various mythological stories related to the life of
Shiva, including his wedding with Parvati and Ardha-nari-nateshwar, when
Lord Shiva assumed the form of half man and half woman. Later back to the
city. In the evening you may visit the Mini Taj or the Bibi ka Maqbara.
Although known as the Taj Mahal of the south, this replica of the Taj fails to
create that magic of the actual Taj. It is a mausoleum built in memory of
Aurangzeb''s wife Rabia-ud-Daurani Begum by his son Prince Azam Shah, in
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