Ellora contains 34 caves, with Buddhist Chaityas, Viharas, and Hindu and Jain temples. According to the NIC, the most magnificent work contained here is the Kailasa Temple in Cave 16, with its grand claim to being the largest monolithic structure in the world. As such, both Ajanta and Ellora were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983. According to the Buddhist Temple.com web site, the Ajanta caves bore witness to both the prosperity and decline of Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism. As such, the paintings, scriptures and architecture at this site depict some of the most beautiful art from both sects of Buddhism. In addition to depicting specific art from both sects, the caves also signify the transition from Hinayana to Mahayana. The former used stupas and other rock forms for depictions of Buddha, while Mahayana used idols. Specifically the older Hinayana sect is depicted in Caves 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 and 15, while 1, 2, 16, 17, 19 and 26 are distinguished as depicting the...

Many of the caves contain sculptures of the Buddha in a preaching or meditating position. Interestingly, the Buddhist Temple.com site notes that some of the caves remain unfinished to this day.
While adhering to and depicting the Buddhist tradition, it is clear that the caves at both Ellora and Ajanta serve as an objective view that depicts both Buddhism, the various sects and traditions within it, and the religions surrounding it. As such, it is not only a magnificent work of art and human heritage, but also a more spiritual depiction of the tolerance the world today so sorely needs.

Bibliography

Banerjee, Radha. Buddhist Art in India. IGNCA, 2001. http://ignca.nic.in/budh0002.htm

Buddhist Temples.com Ajanta Caves. http://www.buddhist-temples.com/maharashtra/ajanta-caves.html

NIC. Monuments: Ajanta & Ellora Caves. 2005. http://india.gov.in/knowindia/ajanta_ellora.php