Ok, so the title of this page is kind of incomplete.  It's really Ellora, Ajanta, Aurangabad and Bangalore.  Just didn't have room for all of that.  

The rock cut caves at Ellora were spectacular, and it was good walking around between them.  There are also many carved caves and other ruins not on the maps that one stumbles across in the process...  Ajanta...  More carved caves and paintings...  Was I beginning to burn out on such things?  Maybe it was because I got stuck with a tour for this one?

Aurangabad is the town that serves as a base for Ellora and Ajanta.  The town itself had lively market streets, interesting restaurants and a decent number of worthy sights within walking distance.  As always though, what I consider to be walking distance seems further than most would like to stagger in the heat.  Bibi Ka Maqbara, (what I call Econo-Taj) was certainly no equal to the original, but...

Last time I checked, this website was hosted and supported by a company in Bangalore, referred to as "Silicon Valley of India."  It's a modern business city that seemed clean, modern and quiet compared to many other cities.  Other tourists complained that there was nothing to see, nothing to do here.  While there was some truth to that, it did provide a relaxing break and a great excuse to seek out good restaurants.  Lots of good restaurants here.  I spent most of my time in the newer town center, though there were more traditional crowded market areas around also.  Met up again with Patricia (France) who I had met during my wait for a train that was 12 hours late out of Varanasi, and randomly met again in Darjeeling.  Good meals made even better with good company.

On arrival in Bangalore, the Cauvery Council was announcing water rationing and distribution amounts for the states taking water from the river.  As Karnataka was did not get the amount requested, protests and possible violence were expected in Bangalore, but not much happened other than everything being closed.  Apparently angry farmers had shut down the road to Mysore for awhile, and the Bangalore rail station for a night, but I think that was it?  There was a "bandh" or general strike a week later though.  They really know how to strike here.  All businesses were closed during the announced time in the entire state from what I can tell.

"Ok, enough incoherent text....."  (Should I trademark that?)


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July-05-2006 -- 05:47 PM Date the photo was taken.

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