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Visit Bharata: Witness the devotion in Ellora Caves, Ajanta Caves, and Elephanta Caves, Maharashtra

Hero Image & Title Thumbnail: Stone carving of Narasimha Avatara at the left front corner of the main cave hall of Cave No. 16 Kailāsanātha Manthir of Ellora Caves, Maharashtra, photographed on November 11, 2024.
Visit Bharata: Witness the devotion in Ellora Caves, Ajanta Caves, and Elephanta Caves, Maharashtra.

First revision: Dec.9, 2024
Last change: Jan.22, 2025
Description of travel and worship of things/places the faithful should worship by Apirak Kanchanakongkha.

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I traveled to India or Bharata again, this time for the third time, to see the wonders of the Elephanta Caves, Ellora Caves, and Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra, Bharata, from November 6-12, 2024, with faculty members from the Faculty of Decorative Arts, Silpakorn University, the entire group of 26 people, for 7 days and 5 nights. The tour activities for single accommodation, including everything and tips for the local guide (Mr. Wichaan). was around 67,000 baht (US$1,915.--)

First day: Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Date	The schedule prepared by the Tour group organizer*	Authentic field trips, Notes, and Others
04:00 PM.	The group (approximately 26 people) gathered on the 4th floor, Gate 3, Thai Airways counter, where staff were ready to welcome them.	I have prepared my checked baggage, no more than 20 kg. A 15,000 mAh power bank (milli-Ampere-hour - which is less than 20,000 mAh can be carried on board), prepared three three-prong plugs, prepared dried food, fish sauce, shredded pork, chili paste, grilled fish chili paste, Thai-style pickled mustard greens, and prepared my hero camera, Nikon Zf, with a complete set of zoom lenses, a sweater, necessary medicines, exchanged money into rupees, and bought a monkey holding a peach brand balm, along with tips if walking into essential places.
06:55 PM.	On Thai Airways Flight No, the group departed for Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai (or Bombay), Maharashtra. TG 317.	Enjoy dinner on board.
10:00 PM.	Arrive at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai, clear immigration, and check in to the 4-star Hotel Kohinoor Continental.	Time in Bharata is 1:30 hours behind Thailand.
	I received the key card to enter the accommodation. The room was perfect and comfortable, and the air conditioner was cool. I plugged in the three-hole plug and connected it to the charger, which was ready. I took a shower, rested a little, and fell asleep due to exhaustion.	I met a local guide named Wichaan, who traveled from Varanasi to Mumbai, almost 1,500 km. He taught me the following daily greetings: - Good morning -- Suprabhaat - Good afternoon -- Namaskar - Good evening -- Shub Sadhya or Sandhya Vandana - Good night -- Shub Raatri.

* Most of the information comes from the tour group organizer.
Arrived last night, if looking at the time in Thailand, it was like a very late night. Two points should be mentioned:

One) The immigration queue for foreign tourists is very long. The inspection is relatively slow. I assume, assume that...
Oh no, Donald Trump will become the president of the United States. He emphasizes America comes first...!!! India is the opposite of the BRICS group - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. They must be checking heavily for spies
because there are no gaps in immigration. During the transition period, they must check people entering the country carefully.

Two) The hotel I stayed at was called Kohinoor, located in the middle of Mumbai or Bombay; the great gem "Kohinoor"

The super-diamond "Kohinoor," Source: https://voices.shortpedia.com/, Access date: December 10, 2024.

It has a long history, has been in Bharata for many eras, and finally, is on top of the crown of Queen Victoria of the British Empire and Great Britain. Now it is kept in the Tower of London, very haunted, has a history of curses, and can be studied from general websites.

Mumbai traffic is very congested, and people honk at intervals. When we reach our accommodation and hit the pillow, it is almost 2 a.m.

A metal sculpture of two elephants in the new passenger terminal (SAT-1) of Suvarnabhumi Airport's expansion was photographed on November 6, 2024.

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The 2^nd day: Thursday, November 7, 2024

Date	The schedule prepared by the Tour group organizer*	Authentic field trips, Notes, and Others
		- I woke up early around 4 am, read books, wrote diaries and other contents on the website, did personal business, charged my batteries, walked around the hotel, and had breakfast in the hotel, which was vegetarian, with milk and extra eggs. To be honest, it wasn't very tasty, but the quality of the food seemed quite good. I ate with my friends on the trip and got to know them. - After a while, I asked to take a shower and get dressed.
09:00 AM.	- The wheels turn, the guide tells the schedule for the day, let the group members introduce themselves, get to know each other. - The group comes to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) or Prince of Wales Museum, which has antiques collected from various parts of India and interesting paintings in various types of colors.	- Since I had been to this museum last year, I focused on taking pictures of the missing parts. On the right side of the second floor of the building, there are many paintings. The interior is about Krishna and Radha, weapons of war from different eras.
Lunch	- After visiting the museum, we took a car to the Gateway of India area. There were a lot of cars, so we had to stop and let the group go down to have lunch at a Chinese restaurant. The car came back to pick us up when we were done. The food was very good. There was fish sauce and chili paste. It was delicious. We talked to our friends on the trip. We got to know each other. Many of us had the same attitudes and chemistry. We could talk and enjoy it. - The guide took the group to see the beauty of London, India. There were beautiful buildings during the British rule of India. There were Gothic, Indian and Arab styles, such as Victoria Terminal train station, government offices and university buildings. (We did not visit it. It was just a brochure and itinerary.) - Visit the Gateway of India Mumbai, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea. King George V visited India in 1911. This arch was built to commemorate King George II. It is a combination of Roman, Indian and Arab architecture.	(Photo credit - friends on the trip)

* Most of the information comes from the tour group organizer.

Me with Sadāśiva, the masterpiece of The Elephanta Cave, took a picture on Nov.7, 2024.

Note:
⁰¹. Sadashiva or Sadāśiva (सदाशिव): The Eternal Shiva, the Sadāśiva, at Elephanta is a masterpiece representing the Supreme artistic achievement of the Hindu renaissance after several centuries of Buddhism. Never before or never after has the transcendental form of the panchamukha linga (the phallic symbol of Shiva with five faces) been rendered with such majesty. Enshrined in the deep recess of the south wall of the main cave, it is the temple's central image.

       The devotee encounters three faces of the Sadāśiva, which rises from a broad bust. The fourth face behind is implied, and the fifth immanent face transcends the sight of mortals and is, therefore, never carved. The four faces are those of Tatpurusha/Mahadeva, Aghora/Bhaurava, Vamadeva/Uma, and Sadyojata/Nandin.

       On the right, to the east of the central face, is the face of Aghora/Bhairava, the fierce and terrifying aspect of Shiva. Serpent locks and raised serpent hoods lead to a skull. The fearful god has eyebrows knit as if to open his third eye, angry and prepared for destruction. In contrast, on the left of the central face, the west is the face of Vamadeva/Uma (the Great Goddess), Shiva's peaceful, pleasing, and feminine aspect. Vamadeva holds a lotus in one of his hands. Curling locks, intricate jewelry, and flowers have been exquisitely carved to convey Shiva's benevolent and positive aspect.

       The central face of Mahadev/Tatpurusha, rising into a linga shape with an elaborate headdress, symbolizes absolute knowledge, the Supreme Principal that combines in itself the dualities of phenomenal existence, personified by the fusion of the male with the female principle. Relaxed in meditation, his eyelids are lowered, and his lips are closed. In his left hand, he holds a citron, a symbol of fecundity.

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