Skip to main content

Aurangabad - III: Ellora - Cave 16 Kailasa Temple

Aurangabad - III: Ellora - Cave 16 Kailasa Temple

The Great Kailasa temple is the largest single monolithic excavation in the world. If you don’t have enough time to visit Ellora and want to have a glance then don’t miss out kailasa temple numbered as cave 16.
This is a must visit once in a life time, to witness the massiveness and extent of rock carvings.
As we entered through the gopura entrance we were fascinated with the imagination of the architect who designed this colossal wonder.

This monolithic structure measures 276 X 154 X 107 feet (length X width X height), was excavated from top-to-bottom with three deep trenches sunk in the parent rock mass. It took over 200 years for getting this marvel completed, through many generations, started from Rastrakuta King Dantidurga (735-757 A.D) and later majorly constructed in the reign of Krishna I (757-773 A.D.).
The Great Kailasa is dedicated to Lord Shiva, consisting of majorly Shiva sculptures.
The Great Kailasa and Pillar of Victory
The Great Kailasa and Pillar of Victory
The two elephants and free standing Pillars of Victory in the courtyard reflect Rastrakuta’s power and supremacy. The whole temple is supported by mostly elephants which illustrates the importance of animals in Hindu Mythology. This superstructure is surrounded by a raised corridor with series of pillars and decorated with mythological stories.
Broader view of the temple complex
Broader view of the temple complex
The main temple was called as Rang-Mahal (Painted palace) because after its completion, the temple was plastered and painted.
This temple resembles closely with the Virupaksha temple at Pattadakkal, an early Chalukyan temple in Karnataka.
The layout of the Kailasa temple complex can be broadly classified into four parts,

1.    The entrance gateway has a double-storeyed Dravidian style gopura with the fortification wall. Images of Ashtadigpalas (guardian gods of eight directions) are sculptured on the main wall. As you enter the gopura, you’ll be welcomed by the huge panel of Gajalakshmi and then passing either sides will take you to the beautiful and spacious courtyard. The courtyard has two giant monolithic elephants and pillars on either sides. The two pillars are square in shape and raised to a height of 45 feet and is crowned by a huge trisula. The pillars are decorated with sculptures.

2.       The main temple, is raised to an height of nearly 23 m located at the center of the temple complex and is also a double storeyed monolithic structure. Once painted entirely, now only traces can be seen. The sanctum inside the shrine contains a huge linga. The main shrine is connected with multiple shrines which makes the excavation more complex being entire complex monolithic. Originally there was a stone bride connecting the southern balcony of the main shrine to the shrines on the parent rock mass. Now the bridge has fallen down and one can see the remnants of support pillars.

3.       The Nandi shrine or the nandimandpa, is in front of the main shrine. After passing through the nandimandapa, the visitor can reach the upper storey of the entrance gopura, and through a window can have a glimpse of the exterior of the cave complex. Two exits branch off from the upper storey of the gopura to an elevated platform, from where one can have a wider view of the temple complex. This passage connecting the main shrine to the entrance gopura through the Nandi Shrine is an engineering marvel, one can only see to believe the understanding of cantilever principles mastered during ancient times and executed here.

4.       The cloisters surrounding the courtyard, consists of multi storeyed excavations done on the parent rock mass. Numerous sculptures are carved along the passage with beautiful pillars. At one side the excavation is raised upto three storey, which was closed for renovation when we visited. On the other side it is two storeyed with beautiful pillars and sculptures.
multi storeyed excavation
multi storeyed excavation
Multi storeyed excavations done on the parent rock mass
Multi storeyed excavations done on the parent rock mass
Huge sculptures, the size is measurable by considering the on looker beside
Huge sculptures, the size is measurable by considering the on looker beside
Giving a view of Elephants holding the weight of the main temple complex
Giving a view of Elephants holding the weight of the main temple complex 
Long Verandah's surrounding the main shrine, all excavated from the same rock
Long Verandah's surrounding the main shrine, all excavated from the same rock
Backside of the main shrine, the hugeness can be compared with the boy standing in the bottom left corner
Backside of the main shrine, the hugeness can be compared with the boy standing in the bottom left corner
One of the sculptures in the first floor of adjoining complex
One of the sculptures in the first floor of adjoining complex
Pillars in the first floor of adjoining complex
Pillars in the first floor of adjoining complex
The Great Kailasa temple will blow your mind with its complex excavations which is beyond imagination, and with full of curiosity of the amazing craftsmanship behind this masterpiece.
Hats-off to the master architect who designed this and to the ones who made it reality.
I wonder how such ancient marvel is silent from even the nominations for the Wonders of the World. Ajanta-Ellora must be definitely considered for the Wonders of the World nominations at least for the next time.
Closer view of main Shrine
cantilever principles mastered during ancient times
cantilever principles mastered during ancient times 
Sculptures on one of the outdoor walls
Sculptures on one of the outdoor walls
Front view of the monolithic temple complex
Front view of the monolithic temple complex
Our Aurangabad trip was complete at this man made marvel.
The journey back to Pune was started at about 6.30pm and we reached Pune by 12 midnight.
The amazing trip was slightly disturbed by the cab driver. We had to complain to Celcabs call center but they said, they can’t help, which made us to never think about their pathetic service again.

Next on our cards was Panchgani-Mahabaleshwar, which is on the other side of Maharashtra.

Click below for my experience on Ajanta & Ellora
Ajanta Paintings Cave 1,2
Ajanta Cave 4,6,7
Ajanta Hinayana Caves 9,10
Ajanta Paintings Cave 16,17
Ajanta Cave 19,21,26
Ellora Dumar Lena (Cave 29) &Indra Sabha (Cave 32)
Ellora Rameshvara Temple (Cave 21)
Labels:
Location: Ellora, Maharashtra 431102, India

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Micromax Canvas 2 A110 Hands on Review

Micromax Superfone Canvas 2 A110(Jet Black/Calm White): After using it for a week, I felt pretty good about my decision for going with a new brand like Micromax over the mighty Samsung Galaxy S Duos and Sony Tipo Dual. Particularly not sure about its reliability but the build quality looks pretty decent. Below are my ratings for the phone aka Phablet. Build Quality (8/10): The build quality was above my expectations keeping in mind of the price tag, from front it looks just like a Galaxy high end smartphone like SIII or Note II. It has a matte finished back cover which is good for protection towards scratches and there is a metal casing all around the phone, which adds up the beauty of the phone. One more advantage of this phone is it has a touch home button instead of a hard button as seen in iPhone and Galaxy phones. Camera (5/10): [8MP autofocus (Tap to Focus), dual flash, supports up to 3264x2448 pixels, Panorama] Don't fall for the specs as it is said...
113 comments
Read more

Trip to the Misty Hills of Kudremukh

Trip to the Misty Hills of Kudremukh: About Kudremukh: Kudremukh National Park is the second largest protected wildlife area in the Western Ghats (around 600 sq.kms). Three important rivers of Karnataka, the Tunga, Bhadra and Netravathi are said to have their origin in this area. Mist covered roads in Kudremukh All these can be reached within 80km. We first started with sringeri, which is famous for its Vidyashankara temple built in1342 AD. Reached Sringeri at 11am. There is a bridge Sri Vidya Teertha Setu across the Tunga river which connects from Vidyashankara temple to Sringeri Mutt. We had prasadam (lunch) at the mutt. There is one more temple called as Sharadamba temple which has lovely architecture built inside and photography is banned inside. The whole temple area is kept very clean and it was a pleasant experience to spend time in the temple complex. We then left at 12.30pm towards Kudremukh. Vidyashankara temple  Vidyashankara temple  Vidyas...
Post a Comment
Read more

5 Places in Maharashtra you must visit atleast once

5 places in Maharashtra you Must Visit At Least once Maharashtra is a state best described as a land of cave temples, hilltop forts, and Mountains. Best time to explore them are the monsoons and post monsoons, definitely not in summers. These 5 places in Maharashtra are a must visit, 5. Lavasa The first planned hill station in India and probably the most controversial for the deforestation reasons. Even the road from Tehghar dam till Lavasa is spectacular with forest cover and green valleys. Best time to visit is during monsoons and post monsoons. Best time of the day is after the sun goes down with the entire city lighted up, and the musical fountains adding more flavour to the evening. Lavasa City during night For more information on Lavasa CLICK HERE 4. Lonavla-Khandala Unlike Mahabaleshwar, Lonavla is a monsoon hill-station. Best time to visit is during monsoon and post monsoons (July-Dec) when the entire hill range turns into lush green grasslands and num...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lalbagh Flower Show Jan-2012

Lalbagh Flower Show 2012 - 100th Exhibition Event :            January 20 till 29, all roads lead to the Glass House in Lalbagh Botanical Gardens. Around 10 lakh visitors are expected to visit the gardens and see a visual treat, thanks to the Mysore Horticultural Society. This flower show is the 100th exhibition of the Mysore Horticultural Society that was started by the then Superintendent of Lalbagh GH Krumbiegal in 1912. Major Attractions this time include Buddha Stupa, Floral dance forms, Floral Flow, Florance Flora Show and Diagonal floral Lines. Buddha Stupa Early Hours crowd at the Glass House GH Krumbiegal Visited the show on Sunday noon (22nd), on that day it recorded a whopping 100,000 visitors, making it difficult to capture the rich colors at the show. I could somehow manage to get a few colorful pics. It was more beautiful and creative than the previous flower shows held here. Entered the Glasshou...
7 comments
Read more

Masinagudi Jungle Trails : A Road Trip to Nilgiris

Masinagudi Jungle Trails : A Road Trip to Nilgiris - II All set and packed for a long road trip to Ooty, left Bangalore late at 8am. What to pack for a long road trips?? Click here The motive of the road trip was to voyage around less explored and adventurous places, rather than popular and easily accessible tourist destinations. To avoid Mysore traffic, we tried to explore another route from Mandya through Somnathapura to Nanjangud, but it turned out to be more tiring and longer route. We reached Bandipur forest check post only by 2pm. Driving through Bandipur forest is a pleasure, with good road conditions, greenery around and spotting wildlife was more exciting. In an intention to spot wildlife, and to maintain silence in the forest, we were driving steadily at 15kmph speed without using horn. We could spot a lot of deer herds, elephants, black bear, boar, Grey Langur monkeys and peacocks.  Peacock spotted on the Bandipur Mudumalai stretch Elephant...
Post a Comment
Read more