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 ndia is known for it's rock-cut architecture, which is regarded as one of the finest in the world. Ellora Caves, Ajanta Caves or even Elephanta are among some good examples of the talent and ingenuity of the local populations.
Geographically situated in the Chamadari hills, 26 km north of Aurangabad in Maharashtra state, Ellora Caves are one of the most interesting examples of cave architecture and technology in the world. Dated between A.D. 600-1000, they hosted three different religions within a single community: Buddhist, Hindouism and Jaina. It is definitly a curious example of religious tolerance that existed in ancient India. Situated near a trade route, the caves are the work of generations of Buddhist monks, Hindus and Jaina pilgrims that used to pass by.
The whole complex holds 34 cave temples, spreads over 2 km and is decorated with amazing ornaments, stone carving and paintings. They are seen like a continuation of the work of the people of the Ajanta Caves (48 km away), who moved to Ellora when they finished their work there. The caves are shared by the three present religions:
- 12 Buddhist (south): 600-800 A.D.
- 17 Hindu (center): 600-900 A.D.
- 5 Jaina (north): 800-1000 A.D.
Ellora Caves Map
Buddhist Serenity
The Buddhist caves are the first built in the whole complex. All are vihara (monasteries), except for the cave 10, a chaitya (chapel), called the Viswakarma Cave (the Carpenter's Cave). This name comes from the wood beams painted on the ceiling. The last two caves are the most opulent, maybe to compete with the Hindu caves from the same period. Calm and serenity seem to reign under the protection of the meditating Buddha.
Hindu Expression
In a totally different style, it reigns in these caves an energy proper to hinduism. The surfaces are carved all over, reflecting all the skills and planning needed.
The Kailasanatha temple is one of the most spectacular and audacious architectural contructions ever made. It was built at the order of King Krishna, the 1st of the Rashtrakuta dynasty in 760. He wanted to build a gigantic  representation of the Mount Kailasa, the house of Shiva in the Himalayas, carving it in a single monolith. Three huge cuts were made in the cliff and men started their work from the top downwards with an extraordinary precision, giving shape to the temple of the Cosmic God. This whole masterpiece, made by skillful workers, implied the removal of 200 000 tons of rock, took maybe 100 years and has twice the size of the Parthenon. Besides its fabulous construction techniques, the Kailasa is also famous for its remarkable ornamentation. Scenes of the Ramayana, the Mahabharata or even the adventures of Krishna are everywhere.
Jaina Dedication
They are the final phase of construction in Ellora. As for the other caves, the Jaina ideology (a strict asceticism) in present in the structure of their constructions. The dimensions are more human, but they gave a great importance to detail. One of the most famous caves has a lotus carved in the ceiling, but other motifs like elephants, lions and tirthankaras of Lord Mahavira can also be found. They offer an aura of peace and simplicity.
Ellora Caves show us with all its beauty and imagination both the Hindouist renaissance and the declin of Buddhism under the dynasty of Chalukya and Rashtrakuta. Abandoned and forgotten for a few centuries, the 34 caves were re-discovered in the 19th century and finally classified in 1983 as Unesco World Heritage.
SITES TO VISIT
Music Travel - Photos
Geographic Alliance of Iowa - Photos
Kamat Potpourri - Photos
Ellora Caves Photos
Reality and Metaphor in the Cave Temples at Ellora
of Samantha Skrukowski
Deccan Odissey - Kailasanatha Temple
Sanatan Society - The Styles of the Figurine
SOURCES
Images:
Map made by Shanti Ashoka
Hindu Goddess image Copyright Kamat
Sites:
Tourism of India
Cultural Heritage of India
Kamats Porpourri: Ajanta and Ellora
India Hills: Ellora (description of the caves)
Unesco: Ellora Caves
Wikipedia: Ellora Caves (with some good photos)
World Mysteries - Ellora Caves
Books:
Angot, Michel, L'Inde Classique, Les Belles Lettres, 2001.
Guide du Routard: Inde du Sud, Hachette, 2005.
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