The Ellora and Ajanta Caves
India's religious expression included both cave carvings and
paintings from over one thousand years ago.  At the Ellora
Caves are carvings by Buddhists, Hindus, and Jains.   
The Buddhist caves are the oldest at Ellora.  This carving is of
a sitting Buddha.  Of course Buddha was born a Hindu prince
and began his teachings in what is now Nepal/northern India.  
Buddha developed a philosophy that eliminated the Hindu
caste system in the search for enlightenment.  His teaching
was spread widely throughout Asia in the last 2,500 years,
and became a new religion.  Relatively few Buddhists are left
in India today, but monuments to Buddha and his influence
remain throughout the region.
Nearby, the Ajanta Caves, older than Ellora, consist
entirely of Buddhist paintings.  Photography in a cave
is always difficult, but you can still see this famous
image of Buddha at Ajanta.  Later on, the page of
Kathmandu, Nepal, features my visit to the well known
Buddhist Stupa (shrine) of Swayambhunath.    
If you have a high speed internet connection, watch the
Intrepid Berkeley Explorer's free video of this trip, "India
and Nepal", by clicking on AdventurePics.com .