Buddhist & Hindu Cave Temples: The Ajanta & Ellora Caves in India

October 3, 2018March 20, 2009 By Nehru E. Cherukupalli

A travelogue of a geologist visiting the hand carved ancient Cave Shrines of Hindus and Buddhists near Aurangabad in the state of Maharashtra in India. These caves were accidentally discovered in early eighteenth century. Starting in Mumbai (Bombay) in Maharashtra state, we go through Aurangabad to the caves of Ajanta and then on to Ellora.

The Ajanta caves, 29 of them, are old (200 BC -650 AD) and were carved out of solid rock (basalt) and also contain frescos which are preserved even till today. The Ellora caves, 34 of them, are younger in age (350 AD to 700 AD) and are also carved into Basalt rock cliffs. Both sets of caves contain large, bigger than life size statues of Hindu Gods and Buddha. The art and science of sculpturing in basalt rock in the past is compared to present day practices.

Author Bio

Nehru E. Cherukupalli

Nehru E. Cherukupalli (a.k.a. C.E. Nehru) is Professor of Geology at Brooklyn College, CUNY. He hails from South India, had his schooling in Madras, India, and earned a Ph.D. in geology from Madras University. He also has a Master’s degree from Columbia University, New York. He has been teaching at Brooklyn College, City University of New York for over four decades and has been the past Chairman of the Geology Department. He served as the Interim Executive Director of the Asian American/Asian Research Institute of CUNY during 2006-2007. He has field experience in many places in India and in the United States and Canada. He has worked in mining operations in copper and iron ore mines in India. He has also worked on Moon rocks and he works on Meteorites and is a Research Associate at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. He has considerable experience in teaching all levels of students at Brooklyn College and at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York.