Ellora Caves
Verul Leni · Ellora Cave Temple Complex
Late classical: Kalachuri, Chalukya, Rashtrakuta periods 600–1000 CE·Buddhist, Hindu (Shaiva), Jain under Rashtrakuta patronage·🇮🇳 Maharashtra, India
About
About Ellora Caves
Largest rock-cut monastery-temple complex in world with 34 caves carved 600–1000 CE into basalt Charanandri Hills: 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu, 5 Jain, including monolithic Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) chiseled top-down from a single rock representing the Himalayan abode of Shiva.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01How 200,000 tonnes rock removed vertically for Kailasa with Iron Age tools
- 02Simultaneous Buddhist-Hindu-Jain coexistence evidence
Theories
- 01Guild-based rock-cut technology transmitted from Ajanta
- 02Political legitimacy display by Rashtrakutas
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 600–1000 CE; Kailasa Temple c.757–783 under Krishna I
- Period
- Late classical: Kalachuri, Chalukya, Rashtrakuta periods 600–1000 CE
- Culture
- Buddhist, Hindu (Shaiva), Jain under Rashtrakuta patronage
- Purpose
- Monastic and pilgrim center demonstrating religious harmony
- Excavation
- Excavated
600–1000 CE; Kailasa Temple c.757–783 under Krishna I
Initial construction
c. 1662 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
20.0264° N · 75.1792° E · 730 m · 3 mapped features
- 20.0240° N · 75.1795° E
Kailasa Temple (Cave 16)
monolithic temple - 20.0260° N · 75.1780° E
Vishvakarma Cave (Cave 10 - Chaitya)
chaitya hall - 20.0300° N · 75.1800° E
Indra Sabha (Cave 32 - Jain)
jain temple