Trip to Ajanta
After a lot of planning we were off to our trip to Ajanta , ellora & mahabaleshwar. We were two families - four adults and three kids ( age ranging from 10-14).There is a direct flight (spicejet) from cochin to pune and from there we hired an Innova (AC) for the seven day trip. The drive from pune to Aurangabad took about five hours and we reached Aurangabad by 9.00 pm. As we were very tired by the time we reached Aurangabad, we did not spend much time looking for a hotel. We stayed at Indraprastha - an MTDC approved hotel. The rooms need maintenance and there is no in-house restaurant , though they do offer room service.
The next day we started early (7.00 pm) to Ajanta caves. En route we had food at Hotel Arunodaya -Aloo paratha with curd and pickle. The food was good, hotel neat and in a serene settings. soon we were off and parked our vehicle at the designated parking lot and took the MSRTC Ac bus to Ajanta caves. From the bus stop we cross a few shops selling curios and climbed a flight of stairs for the first glimpse of Ajanta caves.
If you find it difficult to climb these stairs there are porters who will carry you in a chair for a fee.
The word 'cave' seem to be a misnomer in this context. It would be more appropriate to call them monasteries carved into mountain. Ajanta impresses you by sheer magnitude. To imagine the effort that went into creation of these gigantic monasteries and viharas, with the primitive tools available 2000 years ago, leaves you spell bound. Guides are available at the entrance and it is advisable to avail of their services as they will point out details of paintings and sculptures that a layman may miss.
The caves belong to different period and different sects of Buddhism - both Hinayana & Mahayana. It is not permitted to take photographs inside the cave with flash. Hence unless you are equipped with highly sophisticated camera, you will not be able to get good pictures of these paintings.
Painting on the walls depicts stories from the life of Buddha or stories from Jataka tales while those on the roof are only for decorative purposes. As these caves were carved and painted for Buddhist monks but not by them, we find life in those times depicted in all its variety. Th roof is painted to resemble a shamiyana with animal and floral motifs painted inside boxes.
Some of these caves are renowned for their paintings while others are known for the beauty of their sculptures.
To properly appreciate these caves you need to spend at least 3-4 hours here. we started back by 3.00pm and had a hearty lunch at the MTDC Ajanta restaurant. Beware of the hawkers who sell curious. A figure head of buddha, made of plaster of paris - that cost Rs. 20 at the shops were offered to us at Rs. 800/-. we bought it for 100/-!!!!!. Even in the shops you need to bargain well. A small tortoise carved out of marble that we bought for 100 at Aurangabad was being sold for Rs.450/- at Ajanta. Soon we started our journey back to Aurangabad. The road back passes through fields of maize, cotton and sugarcane. We stopped at a road side stall selling fresh sugarcane juice that was just squeezed out of freshly cut canes.
The fresh squeezed juice made our day. Soon we were off to Aurangabad for food and much needed rest.
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