At ELLORA , 34 cave temples were carved out
of the hillside with hand tools. Only 12 of these 34 caves
in the centre are the most impressive. The massive Kailash
Temple (cave 16) is nearly one a half times taller than the
Parthnon and occupies almost twice its area. It is believed
that it was constructed by excavating approx. 200,000 tones
of rock and is possible the world's largest monolithic structure.
Representing Shiva's Himalayan home, the temple is exquisitely
sculpted with scenes from Hindus mythology, each pulsing with
drama, energy and passion. The Kailash Temple situated near
the village of Ellora. It is considered as one of the most
astonishing 'buildings' in the history of architecture. This
temple is the world's largest monolithic structure carved
from one piece of rock and the rock - hewn temples and monasteries
of Ellora that lies just 30 kms from Aurangabad.. Kailash
Temple at cave 16, were a big Shiva-linga (form of Lord Shiva)
is worshiped. It is the biggest building carved in a stone
in the whole world. is a part of Ellora Cave Complex. The
Kailasanatha temple is the world's largest monolith structure
that was literally scooped out of the hill side. Lord Shiva
is worshipped in the form of a giant lingam in the garba griha.
Beautiful sculptures from Ramayana and Mahabharatha are carved
on the walls of this cave temple.
The depiction of the demon Ravana shaking Mount Kailash is
a masterpiece contain the scenes of semi-mythological history,
the royal court and popular life of the ancient times, as
told in romances and plays. Some pictures recall the Greek
and Roman compositions and proportions, few late resemble
to Chinese manners to some extent. But majority belongs to
a phase which is purely Indian as they are found no where
else. These monuments were constructed during two different
periods of time separated by a long interval of four centuries.
The older ones were the product of last to centuries before
Christ and belongs to Hinayana period of Buddhism in later
part of 2nd century AD when Buddhism was divided into two
sections, after the conduct of the fourth general council
under another great king, Kanishka.
The new feature of Mahayana Buddhism was the concept of future
Buddha's. The Buddha, himself probably thought that he was
the last of the long succession of earlier Buddha's who lived
before him. According to the Buddhist traditions, these former
Buddhas were revered even in the historical Buddha's lifetime.
By the time king Ashoka, their cult was widespread and was
patronized by Ashoka. Later, when the stupas were constructed
and beautified, the carvings were executed in a symbolic way.
An inspired sculptor began to carve images of Buddha himself
and within the few generations, all the Buddhist sects took
to worshipping images. The universe of Mahayana contains numerous
Bodhisattava, the chief of whom is Avalokitesvara with attributes
of compassion. He is also called Padmapani or the lotus bearer.
The Manjushri with a naked sword in one hand, stimulates the
understanding. The sterner Bodhisattava who is a foe of the
sin and evil and bearing a thunderbolt in the hand is Vajrapani.
The future Buddha, Maitreya will take birth to save the world.
It is believed that work on the Kailasha temple was begun
in the mid-8th century and under the direction of King Krishna
I (757-775) of the Rashtrakutadynasty, the rulers of the western
Deccan area. One of the India's greatest architectural treasures,
was hewn out of the solid rock of the hillside to form a free-standing
temple consisting of a gateway, two-storied halls and the
main shrine within. The most majestic creation is the Kailash
Temple, a full-sized freestanding temple flanked by huge elephants
all carved from solid rock, pillars and pondiums, as the workers
dug away some 200,000 tons of rock. The result is an awe-inspiring
representation of Shiva's Himalayan abode. Nearby caves are
alive with stone murals depicting divine struggles and victories.
With these caves before us, it is clear that India far surpasses
the rest of the world in the glory of its rock-cut architecture.
Every December, the Ellora festival of music and dance at
the Kailasha Temple, which is attended by large number of