Ellora Caves

THE ELLORA CAVES

The rock-cut caves of Ellora in Maharashtra, north of Aurangabad, represent three faiths: Buddhist, Brahmanical, and Jaina. There is even a cave called Kailasha, of striking proportions, in honor of the holy mountain. No picture can possibly convey the enormity of these caves and the complexity of their design. These and the Ajanta caves are superb examples of Indian art at its pinnacle. Google gives a thorough coverage of the main temples.

Click HERE for more info.

Click on a photo to start the slideshow.

Detail of carvings below the vaulted ceiling

Depth of some caves as seen from the top

Cave #30, Minikailash

Looking down on the Ellora caves, carved from the mountain

India – Ellora caves

It goes down several storeys and encompasses more temples

This is the blog for Meg Noble Peterson, whose latest book is Madam, Have You Ever Really Been Happy? An Intimate Journey Through Africa and Asia, the story of her first eight-month solo backpacking trip around the world. A synopsis and excerpts from the book can be found on this website.

I began this blog, detailing my recent adventures throughout the world, in the summer of 2005 with my trip to Sweden and Norway. Scroll down to the end to begin this journey. And be sure to browse the Archives and Categories for more in-depth information with photos and stories.

In the blog I include backpacking trips to northern and southern India, Nepal, Myanmar, Ladakh, Kashmir, Sikkim, Bhutan, and Tanzania, as well as backpacking and hiking in the Pacific Northwest and the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Here is a quick recap of trips taken before starting the blog:

In March, 2005, I traveled to Prague in the Czech Republic.

In May, 2004, I spent a month with my eldest daughter in Tibet. Together we circumambulated sacred Mt. Kailash over the Dolma La (pass) at 18,000 ft. and Lake Manasarovar at 14,000 ft. We camped in the countryside, mixed with nomads, and visited the sacred places and temples of this beleaguered country.

In May, 2003, I explored the many facets of Peru and climbed on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

In May, 1999 I did the Wainwright Walk across England from St. Bees Head on the Irish Sea to Robin Hood’s Bay on the North Sea. And in November and early December of the same year I trekked, once again, in Nepal, doing the Annapurna circuit, and going over the Thorong La (pass) at 17,500 ft.

To see the places I traveled on my previous trips, visit the map on this website.

In 1998, my eldest son, Christopher, treated the entire family to a trip to the Galapagos Islands, three years before he died. This will remain one of the high points of all my travel adventures.

Author of Madam, Have You Ever Really Been Happy? An Intimate Journey through Africa and Asia

Ellora Caves

Purchase the Book