Ellora Caves

Ellora is located in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad district. Its artwork dates from 600 to 1000 CE. Over 100 caves have been discovered in the basalt cliffs of the Charanandri Hills, 34 of which are available to the public. The Archaeological Survey of India has designated the caves as a protected site.
There are 17 Hindu caves, 12 Buddhist caves, and 5 Jain caves. They were constructed close together to demonstrate the religious concord that prevailed in ancient India. The Ellora Caves were carved during the Rashtrakuta dynasty. The Rashtrakuta dynasty built a portion of the Hindu and Buddhist caves, and the Yadava dynasty built a portion of the Jain caves. The caves and cave temples are famous visiting sites in Ellora. These caves are famous worldwide for the Kailasa temple which is the largest monolithic excavation in the world.

Hindu Caves of Ellora:

The Hindu caves were built in two phases during the Kalachuris period and the Rashtrakuta dynasty. Its construction started in the mid-6th century and ended in the 8th century. In Ellora, nine cave temples were discovered in the sixth century, followed by four more.

• Dhumar Lena, Cave 29: The construction of early Hindu caves preceded that of Buddhist or Jain caverns. However, the imagery implies that the artists recorded various Hindu gods and goddesses with great and equal attention. These early caves were mainly devoted to the Hindu god Shiva. A rock-cut linga-yoni inside the shrine’s centre was a frequent element of these cave temples, each surrounded by an area for pilgrimage.
• Cave 21, the Rameshwaram Temple: It is perfectly built using the mandapa square concept, with embedded geometric patterns repeating continuously. The Shiva linga in the temple is located halfway between the renowned sculptures of the goddesses Ganga and Yamuna. All these are arranged in an equilateral triangle. It depicts the story between the goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva.
• Cave 16, the Kailasa Temple: This is a famous Ellora cave temple in India due to its design and the fact that it was completely cut out of a single rock. The temple’s basement level has several Shaiva, Vaishnava, and Shakti sculptures and artwork, including the twelve events from Krishna’s childhood, which are an essential part of Vaishnavism.

The Buddhist Caves of Ellora:

These caves are situated on the mountain’s southern slope and were created between 630 and 700 CE. Eleven of the twelve Buddhist caves are viharas, with prayer halls having enormous multi-storied structures that include living areas, sleeping quarters, kitchens, and other rooms. Among all the Buddhist caves, Cave 10 has special significance. It is known as the “Vishwakarma cave” and was created around 650 CE. It’s also known as the “Carpenter’s Cave” because the rock has been finished to look like wooden beams. Beyond its multi-storied entrance, there is a cathedral-like stupa hall called chaitya-griha. A 15-foot sculpture of Buddha is placed in the centre of this cave.

The Jain Caves of Ellora:

The Ellora Jain Caves are five, ranging from 30 to 34. These caves are only a few hundred yards apart from the other caves. Among the five, there are two main caves and two incomplete caves. These caves originated in the 9th and 10th centuries and are associated with the Digambara Jain sect. Cave 30 is Chhota Kailash; cave 31 is incomplete; cave 32 is known as the Indra Sabha; cave 33 is known as the Jagannath Sabha, and cave 34 is a smaller cave that links to an aperture in cave 33.

Conclusion:

The Ellora caves are among the earliest mixed places of all religions, like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jain culture. The Ellora caves evolved between the 2nd and 6th centuries AD. The cave paintings and sculptures have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1983. The Ellora Caves are among the outstanding specimens of ancient Indian arts and crafts. The beauty and mystery of these caves make them very popular among tourists.