The Ancient Caves...

I call this photograph - "Enlightment"

This is one of my favourite places in the world. A place where awe and peace are endless.
This is a picture of the inside of one of the caves at Ellora located in the state of Maharashta in India. My family and me took a weekend trip to the caves of Ajanta and Ellora in April this year. It had been one of the items on my mental list of places I simply must see in my life-time. I was not dissappointed. This is only an amateur picture taken by me, not a professional one from a book. While I was taking this picture, a kindly cave guard held up a large mirror at the entrace of the cave as a result of which, a sliver of reflected sunlight fell across the statue's face. This is a statue of Lord Buddha and the ones on both sides are his diciples.

Ajanta and Ellora are World Heritage Sites.

"Ajanta caves, excavated between the 2nd century BC and the 6th century AD are renowned for Buddhist paintings and Ellora caves, spanning the period between the 5th and the 11th AD comprise Buddhist monasteries and temples of the Hindu and Jain faiths. While Ajanta represents the most perfect example of Indian wall paintings, Ellora, on the other hand, is famous for its architectural design and outstanding sculptures." -an extract from a cheap guide book that I bought near the sites.

I can't possibly summarize my entire trip in one posting. The feeling of silent awe and the sensation of absolute calm can only be experienced, not described. It felt almost as if the spirit of ancient monks still haunted those serene caves, praying for the sad and the restless.

I shall write more about this place some other day...maybe I'll even post some more pictures...maybe not.