Maharashtra is famous for its caves and rock cut
architectures. It is said that the varieties found in Maharashtra are
wider than the caves and rock cut architectures found in the rock cut
areas of Egypt, Assyria, Persia and Greece. The Buddhist monks first
started these caves in the 2nd century BC, in search of serene and
peaceful environment for meditation, and they found these caves on the
hillsides.
Later, Hindu cave temples at Ellora and Ajanta became finest designs of
human art. Some of India's oldest wall paintings can be seen here.
Maharashtra's famous rock-cut caves have several distinct design
elements; even though sculptures of the time are regarded to be so stiff
and unmoving. The Buddhist caves particularly the older ones are either
temples (Chaityas) or monasteries (Viharas).
