Waquar Habib
The Ajanta Caves are a series of 30 Buddhist rock-cut temples and monasteries that were built during the rule of the Satavahana dynasty from 2nd century BC to 6th century BC. They feature paintings, sculptures, and other murals considered as masterpieces of Buddhist art.
The Pindaya Cave is a Buddhist pilgrimage site located on a limestone ridge in Myelat region. It contains over 8,000 Buddha statues made of bronze, marble, and coated with gold. Few statues date back to the 18th century.
Located in central Sri Lanka, the Dambulla Cave Temple is a complex housing five caves. It has 153 Buddha statues in various positions, vibrant murals, arched colonnades and many other statues of several deities.
Located in Aurangabad, the Ellora Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring over 100 caves from 600 and 1000 CE. The caves include 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu, and 5 Jain temples. A magnificent feature is the Kailasa Temple.
The Yungang Grottoes are a UNESCO World Heritage site showcasing Buddhist cave art from the 5th and 6th centuries. The complex is home to 252 caves and niches and about 51,000 statues.
Located north of Kuala Lumpur, Batu Caves is a limestone outcrop featuring a magnificent 140-foot-tall golden statue of Lord Murugan. The place houses the Cathedral Cave, Dark Cave, Cave Villa, and Ramayana Cave.
The Khao Luang Cave boasts numerous cave temples, including Tham Khao Luang, built around 100 years ago by King Chulalongkorn to honour King Mongkut. Adorned with stalactites and stalagmites, the cave's cenote allows sunlight and cool air to create a vibrant, non-humid interior.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Luoyang, the Longmen Grottoes date back to 493 AD during the Northern Wei Dynasty. The grottoes contain approximately 110,000 Buddhist stone statues, 60 stupas, and 2,800 inscriptions.
Constructed in the 6th century, Badami Caves are a group of four Hindu temples in Karnataka. The are considered to be some of the most exquisite examples of Hindu temple architecture. The exhibit Badami Chalukya architectural style.
Built between 1185 to 1189 by Kin Giorgi III of Georgia, Vardzia is a cave monastery complex in southern Georgia. It was built in the as a refuge for monks during the Mongol invasions. It is a massive man-made complex carved out of rock wall.