Ellora Kailasa Temple North Court Plinth
Ellora Kailasa Temple North Court Plinth North Annex · Ellora Site
Classical Antiquity (600 BCE–200 CE) or regional·Classical·🇮🇳 Maharashtra, Ellora, India
About
About Ellora Kailasa Temple North Court Plinth
Ellora Kailasa Temple North Court Plinth in Maharashtra, Ellora, India is a Classical Antiquity (600 BCE–200 CE) or regional temple complex attributed to Classical. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal sanctuary 80 × 55 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 20.0240N 75.1790E controls access to Maharashtra resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey temple complex for Maharashtra, Ellora, illustrating Classical construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 450 BCE–100 CE
- Period
- Classical Antiquity (600 BCE–200 CE) or regional
- Culture
- Classical
- Purpose
- Sanctuary and ceremonial centre for state cult
- Rediscovered
- 1968 survey
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 450 BCE–100 CE
Initial construction of Ellora Kailasa Temple North Court Plinth main structure
c. 1908
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1968–2013
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Ellora Kailasa Temple North Court Plinth) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
20.0240° N · 75.1790° E · 136 m · 4 mapped features
- Ellora Kailasa Temple North Court Plinth — Main StructurestructurePrincipal temple complex — Sanctuary 80 × 55 m with diagnostic masonry/panel20.0248° N · 75.1799° E
- Ellora Kailasa Temple North Court Plinth — Ancillary ComplexcomplexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature20.0230° N · 75.1783° E
- Ellora Kailasa Temple North Court Plinth — Peripheral FeatureoutlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial20.0255° N · 75.1802° E
- Ellora Kailasa Temple North Court Plinth — Hydraulic/CisternhydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site20.0224° N · 75.1779° E
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