I have been contemplating writing for my friend’s blog for a pretty long time. While she waited patiently for months, I was not able to identify a topic or idea I would wish to write and contribute to the blog!
Ideas came and went, finally I decided to write regarding one of my recent travel experience.
I have had phases in my travel story ! One point I loved and enjoyed to travel and at another I wished to not get uprooted from where I lived in for a two day getaway. While, destinations kept getting added to my bucket list I was not undertaking any journeys to experience and explore places I have never visited before. It was because of some weird mindset and some was because of my financial constraints !!
Beginning of this year a close relative visited me at my home and spoke highly about their travel to Aurangabad - Ajanta and Ellora caves and gave a beautiful narration of his travel. He absolutely recommended a visit more-so as I am a practicing Buddhist. The Ajanta and Ellora caves are masterpieces of Buddhist art. Funnily this was not in my ever growing bucket list. Mystically, without me doing much research and planning I undertook the journey as part of trip planned at work as a long weekend getaway.
Aurangabad is a small town and you can easily miss visiting it as there isn’t much to do expect for some spectacular heritage monuments including a smaller replica of Taj Mahal.
I landed in Aurangabad, and a much better AQI level greeted me which was a breath of fresh air (no pun intended) . Our guide was extremely knowledgeable with a good sense of humor ! After checking -in at the Hotel he gave us a quick debrief of the Ajanta and Ellora caves and why they are a UNESCO heritage site.
The caves are nestled in such picturesque settings. Surrounded by natural waterfalls and beautiful trees and flora and fauna. They are a case study for any art history research student and scholar around the world. The rock cut paintings on cave walls and engravings , the sculptures are a sight to see.
It is absolutely enthralling to visualize how the caves were cut and engraved in the ancient time dates back to almost 6 A.D.
Although the caves have been restored with some good work by archaeological survey of India they still look dilapidated because continuous water falls from the faults around stone/ hills.
As always true with any travel I have carried a piece of Aurangabad and especially the caves with me forever. While I resonantly chanted with other Buddhist tourist in cave no. 29 and bowed to the Buddha I felt surreal about this extremely calming and beautiful journey I undertook this year.
Happy Musings
Jyotika.
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