Ellora Caves (Elloru, Elloru caves) is a complex located in India in the state of Maharashtra, 30 km west of the city of Aurangabad - silent evidence of the peaceful coexistence of three religions at once, which, along with its highly artistic value, makes this place even more significant for world culture.
The Ellora Caves are 34 temples and monasteries, covering about 2 km in length, carved into basalt rocks. They were created between the 6th and 10th centuries by representatives of different religious movements. Sanctuaries of Buddhism (12 caves), Hinduism (17 caves) and Jainism (5 caves) grew here one after another century after century, and today are a clear demonstration of the religious tolerance that reigned then on Indian lands. In the 14th century, the temples of Ellora suffered greatly from the struggle of Muslims against pagans, but, despite their efforts, they were unable to overcome the hard basalt.
The temples are carved out of rock with many passages. Almost all the caves are viharas (place of residence, home, monastery), which the monks used for study, meditation, as well as for such mundane activities as eating and sleeping. As you explore these caves, you will notice how their halls gradually increase in size and acquire a more sophisticated style.
The caves in Ellora are a whole ensemble of magnificent temples, statues, columns and sculptures. The Kailasanatha Temple, a kind of center of Ellora, is rightfully considered the most outstanding. It was created over a hundred years in the 8th century and was carved from a single monolith, but not, as usual, something is built from the bottom up, but from the top down and from the sides! The temple, decorated with magnificent carvings, symbolizes Mount Kailash, considered sacred by representatives of four religions - Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and Bon adherents, the “heart of the world”. In particular, followers of Hinduism revere Kailas as the mountain where Shiva’s abode is located. Initially, the temple was even whitewashed, specifically to give it a resemblance to a snow-capped holy mountain. And in the main hiding place of the temple a copper tablet was found with the inscription: “Oh, how could I do this without magic?” Indeed: “How?!”
The Buddhist Caves (also called Vishwakarma Caves) are the earliest of the Ellora caves and date from 500 to 750 AD. Interestingly, the caves become larger and more beautiful as you move to the north side. Scientists explained this by the growing need to compete with Hinduism, because already in 600 the first Hindu temple appeared here.
The Hindu monasteries of Ellora are completely different from the Buddhist caves, both in terms of style and decoration. These caves were carved from top to bottom and shaped in several stages. There are 17 caves in total, carved between 600 and 870 years. They occupy the central part of the rock, grouped around famous temple Kailasa. Unlike the solemn and serene Buddhist caves, the walls of Hindu monasteries are covered with living bas-reliefs depicting the events of their Hindu scriptures. All of them are dedicated to the god Shiva, but there are also images of Vishnu and his various reincarnations.
The Jaina Caves are the youngest in the Ellora complex and date back to 800-900 years. They are located 2 kilometers to the north, where an asphalt road leads. They reflect the distinctness of Jain philosophy and tradition, including strict asceticism along with elaborate decoration. These monasteries are not as large as Hindu and Buddhist ones but contain exceptionally detailed artwork. Partially preserved here amazing paintings, which once completely covered the ceilings of temples
The architectural cave complex in Ellora can rightfully be called one of the wonders of the world. The skill of ancient architects was appreciated by UNESCO, which included the caves in the List World Heritage.
Ellora is home to the Kailash Mountains. On their top there is a temple called Kailasanatka. According to the belief of the people who built it, the temple belongs to the lord of the mountains and is the top of the world, where the god Shiva lives.
The temple is decorated with elaborate carvings, and in the main hiding place a tablet was found on which were engraved the words: “Oh, how could I do this without magic?!” Everyone who has seen this statue asks a similar question - how without special equipment, which is available at modern man, it was possible to carve such a huge temple from a whole block of stone2
History of Ellora Caves
All Ellora caves are carved into basalt hills at a distance of 26-30 km. from Aurangabad in the state of Maharashtra. They represent the best examples of both Indian and world cave-temple architecture, including facades difficult work and exquisitely decorated interiors. The creation of the caves dates back to approximately the 6th to 9th centuries AD.
The Kailasantha cave temple was created by order of Raja Krishna from the Rashtrakuta family in the 13th century. The temple was built according to very specific treatises on construction, where everything was outlined down to the smallest detail. Kailasantha was supposed to become intermediate between heavenly and earthly temples, a kind of gate.
Kailasantha measures 61 by 33 meters. The height of the entire temple is 30 meters. It was created gradually, as if it was being freed from stone husks. They began to cut down the temple from the top. First, a trench surrounding a monolithic block. And then this block began to turn into a temple. Holes were cut in it, which would later become galleries and halls. Every detail had its purpose.
The amazing thing about Kailasantha is that, unlike other temples, which were usually built from the bottom up, the sculptors of this temple carved the temple from the top and sides. This temple is one of the most complex works architecture in the world.
The Kailasantha Temple in Ellora was created by hollowing out about 400,000 tons of rock, which speaks of the extraordinary imagination of the architects who created the plan for this temple. Kailasantha demonstrates typical features Dravidian style. This is evidenced by the gates lying in front of the Nandin entrance, and the outlines of the temple, gradually tapering towards the top, decorated along the facade with miniature sculptures.
The temple tower has similarities with the towers of the Mamallapuram temples located near Chennai in Tamil Nadu. They were built around the same time. The Kailasantha Temple is similar in style to the architecture of the Pallava dynasty, established in Mamallapuram and became widespread. It is believed that architects from the southern Pallava kingdom were specially found to create the temple.
Features of the structure of Ellora caves
Incredible efforts went into building the temple. It turns out that he himself stands in a well almost 100 meters long and 50 meters wide. The base of Kailasanatha is not only a three-tiered monument, it is a whole huge complex that includes a courtyard in front of the temple, walls, porticoes, galleries, halls and free-standing statues.
The lower part ends with a base of 8 meters, surrounded on all sides by snow-white figures of elephants and lions - sacred animals. These figures seem to support the Kailasantha temple and at the same time protect it.
The entire temple is divided into 3 main parts. But, besides them, there are additional rooms, each of which is dedicated to a specific god associated with the cult of Shiva. It is impossible to find smooth walls in the temple - everything is covered with ornaments. The figures are so skillfully made that with appropriate lighting they seem quite three-dimensional, not connected with the walls.
In front of the temple there is a large hall with columns. A gallery of columns running down the front of the rock forms a deep, narrow passage surrounding the temple. This passage has 2 tiers of hall and a covered gallery. Upper part The temple displays many sculptural images.
The temple occupies about 60,000 square feet and its tower is about 90 feet high.
The interior is decorated with sculptural images of gods. One of them refers to the goddess Rama and her husband Parvati; there is a sculpture of the multi-armed demon Ravana, who was considered the embodiment of dark forces.
The entire rock temple with its numerous sculptures creates a magical impression. It is especially strong in the evening, when Kailasanatha is illuminated by the rays of the setting sun. One gets the feeling that all the drawings are about to come to life.
The caves and temples of Ellora are included in the list of monuments that are a world heritage and heritage of human civilization.
In the Indian state of Maharashtra there is a village called Ellora with 34 amazing caves carved into the vertical surface of Mount Charanandry. Ellora is an official UNESCO World Heritage Site. The caves consist of 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu and 5 Jain temples and monasteries, built between the 6th and 10th centuries.
These caves are a sign of the religious harmony that reigned in India during this period. Ellora Caves are the most popular ancient attractions in the state and a must-see for every tourist.
(Total 25 photos)
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1. Buddhist caves (Vishwakarma) - the earliest of all the Ellora caves (500-750 AD). All but one of them are viharas (monasteries). (Girl in the Rain)
2. Viharas were used for teachings, meditation, social rituals, dinners and overnight stays. (Raj Photography)
4. (Kareem Mayan)
5. The earliest Hindu caves date back to 600 AD, right in the middle of the heyday of Buddhism. (Xinoda)
6. In the photo: Buddhist caves of Ellora. (Koshy Koshy)
7. Created during the period of prosperity and revival of Hinduism, Hindu caves represent a completely different style of creative vision and skill than Buddhist caves. (John Baldock)
8. Hindu temples were carved from top to bottom, and it took more than one generation to give them shape. (A Lip Rim Toke)
10. Contrasting with the tranquil and somber early Buddhist caves, the walls of the Hindu caves are covered with living bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the sacred Hindu scriptures. (Priya Sivaraman)
12. Jain temples dating back to the late 800-900s go down 2 km along a paved road (where rickshaws can pass). (Guy Stafford)
13. They reflect the characteristics of Jain philosophy and tradition, including a sense of strict asceticism combined with exquisite ornaments. (Girl in the Rain)
14. These caves are small compared to others, but they have very detailed decorations. (Xinoda)
15. Many Jain caves had rich paintings on the ceilings, fragments of which are still visible. (Sonal Vaz)
16. Jain caves of Ellora. Amy Lou
17. All Jain caves belong to the Digambara sect. (Mskadu)
18. This ensemble of shrines of the three main religions of India constitutes one of best works Indian art of the Middle Ages. (Xinoda)
Visit the ancients cave temples Ellora arrives huge amount travelers because these mysterious religious caves leave an indelible impression on every person.
The Ellora Cave Temples are the standard of ancient temples. In total, 34 sacred caves are carved into the rock, located along a single line over a distance of two kilometers. It’s hard to even imagine how difficult it was to create two kilometers of continuous ancient halls using primitive construction tools. Some of them reach a decent size - about ten acres. The caves have many beautiful columns and sculptures.
The Ellora rocks have sheltered the cultures of three religions: Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. It’s simply amazing how these three completely different religious movements could exist so closely, literally side by side. Looking at the ancient cave Temples of Ellora, memories of the ancient Temple of Jerusalem involuntarily come to mind.
The very first caves of Ellora are Buddhist. These temples were created from the 6th to the 8th century AD. In some of the sacred temples you can see sculptures of an unconventionally seated Buddha - his legs are down. In other caves, Buddha is depicted in the usual lotus position. Absolutely all Buddha sculptures “look” towards the east, that is, towards the rising sun.
Some of the temples were left unfinished, while the rest, opposite, were carved out at the level of three floors and completely filled with columns and sculptures. There are also sculptures that do not belong to the Buddhist religion. They clearly show elements of Hindu aesthetics.
For European travelers, the sacred Ellora Temples are a kind of museum, but for Indians of any religion, the ancient caves are “living” temples. Before entering some caves, Indians remove their shoes.
Next begin the sacred Hindu caves, which were created from the 6th to the 8th centuries. There are 17 Hindu temples in total and they are very different from the Buddhist caves. In these sacred caves, all the sculptures “dance”; not one of them sits with their legs dangling. Many images are filled with eroticism and this is a special cult. Only in ancient times were erotica and dances filled with spirituality and divinity.
The creation of the caves dates back to approximately the 6th to 9th centuries AD. Of the 34 caves of Ellora, 12 caves in the south are Buddhist, 17 in the center are dedicated to Hindu gods, 5 caves to the north are Jain.
Almost all Hindu caves are dedicated to Lord Shiva, as well as his inner circle. Also in these temples you can see sculptures of the bull Nanti, this bull was “ vehicle» Shiva. Nanti means the giver of joy. As you know, in India, cows have long been sacred animals.
In the very center of the line of sacred caves is the main abode of God Shiva - the Kailasanatha Temple. This temple was carved from a single rock in the eighth century AD using the top-down method. Over 150 years, 7,000 stone cutters removed a very large volume of stone - about two hundred thousand tons. At that time, the craftsmen had only primitive tools, so their work can be called a real feat. By the way, the main bas-reliefs of the main Shiva Temple are dedicated to the theme of feats. They depict battle scenes.
It is also worth saying that the entire removed stone seems “nothing”, if we remember that the entire ancient Kailasanatha Temple is completely painted. It is in these ancient places that the artistic diligence of the Hindus clearly goes beyond all acceptable standards.
Ellora is literally overflowing with vital sacred energy, which is felt literally in every image, every stone and crack. It is in the ancient Temples of Ellora that life itself lives!
Ellora Caves ( Elloru, Elloru caves) is a complex located in India in the state of Maharashtra, 30 km west of the city of Aurangabad - silent evidence of the peaceful coexistence of three religions at once, which, along with its highly artistic value, makes this place even more significant for world culture.
The Ellora Caves are 34 temples and monasteries, covering about 2 km in length, carved into basalt rocks. They were created between the 6th and 10th centuries by representatives of different religious movements. Sanctuaries of Buddhism (12 caves), Hinduism (17 caves) and Jainism (5 caves) grew here one after another century after century, and today they are a clear demonstration of the religious tolerance that reigned then on Indian lands. In the 14th century, the temples of Ellora suffered greatly from the struggle of Muslims against pagans, but, despite their efforts, they were unable to overcome the hard basalt.
The temples are carved out of rock with many passages. Almost all the caves are viharas (place of residence, home, monastery), which the monks used for study, meditation, as well as for such mundane activities as eating and sleeping. As you explore these caves, you will notice how their halls gradually increase in size and acquire a more sophisticated style.
The caves in Ellora are a whole ensemble of magnificent temples, statues, columns and sculptures. Considered to be the most outstanding Kailasanatha Temple (Kailasanatha), a kind of center of Ellora. It was created over a hundred years in the 8th century and was carved from a single monolith, but not, as usual, something is built from the bottom up, but from the top down and from the sides! The temple, decorated with magnificent carvings, symbolizes Mount Kailash, considered sacred by representatives of four religions - Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and Bon adherents, the “heart of the world”. In particular, followers of Hinduism revere Kailas as the mountain where Shiva’s abode is located. Initially, the temple was even whitewashed, specifically to give it a resemblance to a snow-capped holy mountain. And in the main hiding place of the temple a copper tablet was found with the inscription: “Oh, how could I do this without magic?” Indeed: “How?!”
Buddhist caves (also called Vishwakarma Caves) are the earliest of the Ellora caves and date from 500 to 750 AD. Interestingly, the caves become larger and more beautiful as you move to the north side. Scientists explained this by the growing need to compete with Hinduism, because already in 600 the first Hindu temple appeared here.
Hindu monasteries of Ellora are completely different from Buddhist caves, both in terms of style and decoration. These caves were carved from top to bottom and shaped in several stages. There are 17 caves in total, carved between 600 and 870 years. They occupy the central part of the rock, grouped around the famous Kailasa temple. Unlike the solemn and serene Buddhist caves, the walls of Hindu monasteries are covered with living bas-reliefs depicting the events of their Hindu scriptures. All of them are dedicated to the god Shiva, but there are also images of Vishnu and his various reincarnations.
Jaina Caves- the youngest in the Ellora complex and date back to 800-900 years. They are located 2 kilometers to the north, where an asphalt road leads. They reflect the distinctness of Jain philosophy and tradition, including strict asceticism along with elaborate artistic design. These monasteries are not as large as Hindu and Buddhist ones but contain exceptionally detailed artwork. Amazing paintings that once completely covered the ceilings of temples have been partially preserved here.
The architectural cave complex in Ellora can rightfully be called one of the wonders of the world. The skill of the ancient architects was appreciated by UNESCO, which included the caves on the World Heritage List.
PHOTOS OF ELLORA CAVES |