Ellora Cave No. 11 Do Taal

Cave No.11, situated in the middle of Cave no.10 and cave no.12, is also called ‘Do Taal’, or ‘two floors’. When the cave was first discovered, the ground floor was buried, and hadn’t been excavated yet, hence the name ‘Do Taal’. You will come across several viharaas, and a shrine on each floor. This cave also has a stair case to reach all the floors, and is hardly crowded. There are safety nets and railings provided for the safety of the tourists too. The sculptures are no less than magnificent, and also has several intricate details.

Three floor cave. Sun rays falls directly on Buddhas satue at the time of sunset. This view is most beautiful. Few cave are very famous which every one wants to see including Cave No. 11, 12, Cave No. 14 & 15, Jains Caves no. 32, 33& 34. Every one member have to take the Ticket of Rs:- 40/- to see all these Cave. Appox. 4 to 6 is required to see all these Caves No. 1 - 34.

Cave 11, locally known as Do-tal or two-storied, was originally probably three-storied. The name `Do-tar was given to when the lowest floor was covered under debris. This and the next cave are the only three-storied Buddhist excavations in India. Walking across the open courtyard one reaches the ground floor of the cave which has a shrine with an image of Buddha in the dhyana mudra, attended by Padmapani and Vajrapani. The sculptures of Tara and Avalokitesvara on the outer wall, belong to a later period. The first floor is verandah-like and has three shrines. The shrine at the north has a large image of Buddha seated in the bhumisparsa mudra, supported by ganas. Next is the principal shrine placed in the coupe which has in front of it an antechamber. There is an image of Buddha in bhumisparsa mudra within the shrine. Still further south is a shrine containing sculptures similar to those found in the northern shrine; but here Jambhala and Tara are absent. A preaching Buddha attended by Bodhisattvas is carved in a deep niche in the south wall. The second floor, carved deeper into the cave, has a pillared verandah and pillared vestibule at the centre that leads to a hall. A seated Tara and a standing Avalokitesvara are carved on the north and south walls of the furthermost bay of the central vestibule. A huge preaching Buddha in the pralambapada pose graces the sanctum, while another Buddha in bhumisparsa mudra is placed at a shrine at the northern end of the vestibule. His attendants are carved on the entrance, while several figures of Buddha and Bodhisattvas are carved in panels on the wall surfaces. Brahman ical subjects like Mahishasuramardini and Ganesa are also sculpted at the southern end of the cave. These belong to a period when Buddhism was on the wane.

This cave was for long regarding as consisting of two floors, so the name Do Taal. There is landing of a stair from a cave below with a verandah 102 feet in length and 9 feet wide with two cells and a shrine in which is Buddha with Padmapani and Vajrapani as his attendants. The stair leads to a similar verandah above, with eight square pillars in front, the back wall with five doors. The first door is only the commencement cell. The second door leads into a shrine with a colossal Buddha with right hand on his knee and the left in his lap. Buddha is attended by Padmapani and Vajrapani. The other cells too have figures of Buddha and his attendants. At the north end of the verandah the stair ascends to the upper storey. It was intended to have three shrines as the below one, however, one of them has not commenced. The other two cells have a Buddha image along with Padmapani and Vajrapani.

Lovely area of the Ellora caves, between cave 11 and 12 there is a small temple and a nice water fall area! Do visit this part specifically! You wouldn't want to miss out on this

वेरूळ लेणी क्रमांक ११ : हे लेणे `दोन ताल’ या नावानेही प्रसिद्ध आहे. या शेजारचे लेणे तिमजली असल्याने त्याला `तीन ताल’ असे संबोधले जाते. ही दोन्ही लेणी येथील बौद्ध लेण्यांची अखेर दाखवतात. दो ताल लेण्यातील सर्वांत खालचा मजला १८७६ पर्यंत मातीने भरून गेल्याने त्याचे अस्तित्व कळत नसे. भिक्षुगृहे आणि बुद्धप्रतिमायुक्त गर्भगृह यांमुळे या लेण्याचे स्वरूप मंदिर आणि विहार असे दुहेरी राहिलेले आहे. लेण्याच्या दर्शनी भागात आठ खांब कोरलेले असून त्यांच्या मागे अरुंद ओवरी आहे. या ओवरीच्या पाठीमागील भिंतीत पाच लेणी कोरलेली आहेत. पहिले लेणे अपूर्ण, तर दुसऱ्या बुद्धप्रतिमा आहे. ही मूर्ती भव्य असून ध्यानासनात आणि भूमिस्पर्शमुद्रेत आहे. मूर्तीचे आसन गण सावरून धरीत असून जवळच बुद्धाला पायस देणाऱ्या सुजातेचे शिल्प आहे. नेहमीप्रमाणे दोन्ही बाजूंस अवलोकितेश्वर आणि वज्रपाणी हे बोधिसत्त्व आहेत. गाभाऱ्याच्या बाजूच्या भिंतीत अनेक बोधिसत्त्वांच्या मूर्ती कोरलेल्या असून, त्यांत मैत्रेय (हातात फूल आणि मुकुटात स्तूप), स्थिरचक्र (हातात तलवार), मंजुश्री (कमळ आणि पुस्तक) व ज्ञानकेतू (ध्वज) या स्पष्टपणे ओळखता येतात. याशिवाय जंभाल (कुबेर) आणि तारा (हातात कमळ) यांचीही शिल्पे येथे आहेत. जंभालमूर्तीच्या डाव्या हातात धनाची थैली आहे आणि खाली एक व्यक्ती नाण्यांनी भरलेला कलश घेऊन उभी आहे. या मजल्याच्या मध्यभागी असलेल्या सभामंडपाच्या मागील भागाऱ्यात भूमिस्पर्शमुद्रेतील ध्यानस्थ बुद्धमूर्ती आहे. या लेण्याचे वैशिष्ट्य असे की, मंडपाच्या उजव्या आणि समोरच्या भिंतींवर हिंदू देवदेवतांच्या – महिषासुरमर्दिनी, गणेश, काल-प्रतिमा कोरल्या आहेत. बौद्ध धर्माचा प्रभाव नष्ट झाल्याच्या काळातील त्या असाव्यात हे स्पष्ट होते.

Ellora caves takes you to a different era of world

Three floor cave. Sun rays falls directly on Buddhas satue at the time of sunset. This view is most beautiful

It's No.1 1. Similar to No.12.

You can built 1more burn khailafa but u can't kailasa temple

It is unbelievable. These caves are made from an Volcanic Rock by carving. Amazing experience.

Three storeys carved in hill,for Lord Buddha with water fecility,stairs,monastry,saithya halls etc

Good

Amazing

Nice work

Must visit.