February 7

I awoke at 530 and wished my husband a big… “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!”

We readied and tried breakfast at TIF… but no service came so decided to leave. We have a second day tour booked (so we will have our driver stop at a place for us). Today at 08 we met our driver, Dilip, (he was there, yeah!) We climbed into the car and we are off to Ellora Caves. These are in a different direction than yesterdays caves, and only 45 minute drive.

We arrived right in front of the site were there are a bunch of restaurants. He let us out at Hotel Kailas- Room, Food, Bar. We went in and ordered from the western menu: I had a cheese omelet, Jeff- french toast. We split toast, butter, and jam plate; and a pot of Masala Tea. We both enjoyed our orders.

From the restaurant we walked past the stalls to the ticket booth and paid our foreigner entrance fee. The locals pay 40 rupees (50 cents) each; foreigners pay 600 rupees ($7.23) each.  We entered and chose to go to the last cave(#34) first and work our way back to #1. So we paid 30 rupees ($0.36) each to ride a 10 seater golf cart. At 0915, we came to cave #34. Again these caves are man-made by monks. This end section of caves are made by Jain Monks, and dates back to the ninth and tenth centuries. The opening is large and gives to a large room. There are the carved columns that were hewn out of the rock itself. Jain religion uses more animals in their carvings. In the center of the room in the ceiling is a large lotus flower. At the back of the cave is an image of one of their gods. Jeff and I were the first ones in this cave, we think. When we arrived the door was closed, but not locked so we opened it and went in. We disturbed bats! The all flew somewhere else!

Then cave #33. Where there are more great carvings of gods and animals, with traces of paint still visible. Next cave #32, 31, 30… and the same… it was incredible: more paint was still on the carved gods, columns, ceilings and walls. Some caves are now dating from 10-14th Century. These caves also have second floors and link into each other.

Next #29, from the 8th Century, was set back from the others, and actually had water in small, stagnant pools in the entry – this was a mosquito breeder, but because of mosquitos there were dragonflies! You enter the cave through porticals, and the temple part behind is dedicated to a river goddess. 

Now it's cave after cave, still amazing, but we have to pick up the pace a bit. Also I could describe them all, but I would be up all night. These caves have now changed to Hindu and many were not completed for whatever reason. The caves also begin to stretch out some. One had the best Linga, one had a most impressive Brahma cow idol, another a great statute of the multi-armed god, and yet another had the three headed god statue,… and so forth, ect.

Then #16! Oh my! It was by far the best cave of all!!! How to describe… words fail, but I will try. First Jeff knew enough to climb up on the rock these caves are hewn out of. (The Indian Archeology group built steps and walkway around this cave, because so many have done this.) So we started with a bird's eye view first. It is massive. There are, I think five separate temples, with different carvings and rooflines. The one at the very back is largest and they staristep down in size to fit with the rock face is hewn from. There are many elephants and lions, plus so many idol gods… so intricately carved. Some traces of paint is sti
Finished at 1245.
Car to Daulatabad Fort. First passed a bright orange minuet, 70.9m tall. Can't climb it. Lot of selfies along the whole way. A guy talked to Jeff almost all the way up. I thought for sure he would hit Jeff up for a guide fee, but he did not. He, toward the end introduced us to some of his students! He was just a genuinely friendly guy!! Built in the 14th Century. 50m of hill chopped away for defense. We climbed the 700+ steps to the very top, even through and up higher than the palace. Hiked back down. 2.5 hrs. We were exhausted.
Found Dilip and decided to end the tour, going on back to our hostel. Cooled off. Did laundry and showered.