If the Ajanta Caves weren't amazing enough, closer to Aurangabad are the younger (5th to 7th centuries) Ellora Caves built by Buddhists, Hindus and Jains. The centerpiece is Kailash Temple, an enormous Hindu temple built to resemble the home of Lord Shiva. It's carved out of a single rock and features remarkable details, including the sacred bull Nandi, elephants, stories from the Ramayana.
Yea, amazing. A giant chunk of the mountain hand-removed to leave behind this massive temple.
Heading in, revealing the temple in a courtyard.
More views of the complex, from ground level and then up a couple of stories. Plenty of room to take in such a large structure/sculpture.
Elegant elephant detail along the back of the temple.
More details, smaller temples on the roof and intricate wall carvings. The temple goes on and on...
A final, awe-inspiring view from the back, looking out.
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