Have you ever wondered what makes Ellora Cave 16 so special? What sets it apart from other historical sites in India? And why does it deserve a separate blog of its own?
As a history enthusiast who has explored the wonders of Ellora Caves a couple of times, we’ve been spellbound by the uniqueness of Cave 16. So, what exactly makes this cave so remarkable?
Let’s uncover the specialties of the Ellora Cave 16, the Kailasa Temple, and explore why it stands as a testament to ancient India’s artistic and engineering powers.
Ellora Cave 16, The Kailasha Temple
Ellora Cave 16 features the largest monolithic rock excavation in the world, the Kailasha Temple, dedicated to God Shiva. It is the most celebrated rock-cut temple that is also featured on the 20 Rupee Indian currency note. The Ellora Cave 16 is also one of the top 10 most visited monuments in India.
Kailasha temple is carved entirely from a single rock. The rock-cut temple was excavated from top to bottom and scooped out. It is estimated that the artists had to remove three million cubic feet of stone, weighing approximately 200,000 tonnes, to excavate the temple.
It is said that ten generations of workers were employed in the excavation of the Ellora Cave 16 over a span of 200 years. The temple was planned, and its excavation commenced under the rule of Rastrakuta King Dantidurga (735-757 AD). A major portion of the work was carried out during the reign of Krishna I (757-773 AD), the successor and uncle of Dantidurga.
Ellora Cave 16 or the Kailasha temple is the first monument that you see when you enter. It is primely located right at the center. The sheer scale and craftsmanship of Cave 16 at Ellora continue to amaze visitors from all over the world, making it a must-visit site for those interested in ancient Indian architecture and history.
Kailasha includes the main shrine, the Nandi shrine, the gateway, and the surrounding cloisters and subsidiary shrines. The temple complex is surrounded by a raised pillar corridor decorated with huge panels of mythological stories.
The temple is intricately carved with niches, plasters, windows, and cornices. The pillars and walls are decorated with several interesting panels. The temple is decorated with paintings and gigantic images of deities and amorous couples, friezes of scenes from epics, fauna, flora, and geometric designs.
The two elephants and free-standing Pillars of Victory in the courtyard reflect the Rashtrakuta dynasty’s supremacy and power. The figures of Sankha-Nidhi, Padma-Nidhi, and the panel of Gajalaxmi in the courtyard symbolize their prosperity. The river goddesses Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati figures symbolize purity, devotion, and knowledge.
The main temple is called Rang-Mahal (Painted-palace) because, after its completion, the temple was plastered and painted in 9-11th centuries AD. The rectangular Rang-Mahal is decorated with friezes illustrating two great epics – Ramayana on the north and Mahabharata on the south.
No description can truly capture the breathtaking Cave 16 at the Ellora Caves. It’s an experience that words can’t do justice to; you simply have to witness its splendor in person to fully appreciate its beauty and significance.
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