The Ancient and Medieval Architecture of India: A Study of Indo-Aryan Civilisation c20.2

c20.2

WITHIN the territories of the Chalukyan kings where Bâdâmi, Pattadakal, and Ajantâ were situated there was another place, now known as Ellora, around which the associations of Aryan piety had gathered from time immemorial. Ellora, which is now within the Nizam's dominions, is not far to the south of Ajantâ, and the amenities of the place which made it sacred to religious devotees of every sect were likewise Siva's moon-crest, the bend of a rushing torrent, overhung by a rocky hill, and a waterfall. Ajantâ was a university, Ellora a tîrth, or place of pilgrimage. Tradition does not record what yogi's wonder-working austerities first brought pilgrims to the place, but it is known at the present day as one of the twelve sacred tîrths to accomplish which is the desire of every sâdhu or sannyâsin.