Kailasanatha Temple (Ellora Caves, Maharashtra)
The Kailasanatha Temple is one of the most extraordinary rock-cut temples in the world. This marvel was built in the 8th century, but still it is fascinating to know about its architecture and history, however it always amazes people. Let’s take a look around this temple and see what’s included, not only the architecture and history it consist the combination of religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism
Location of the Rock-cut temple – Kailasanatha Temple:
The location of this Rock-cut temple (Kailasanatha Temple) is at the Ellora Caves in Aurangabad district, Maharashtra. It has been described as “the climax of the rock-cut phase of Indian architecture.” The greatest of the 34 Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain cave temples and monasteries that make up the Ellora Caves. Kailasanatha Temple is cave 16 among 34.
History of the Kailasanatha Temple:
This place has historical significance, which connected it with ancient architecture. Let’s get an idea about the important historical tales connected with this temple. It is considered that the construction period is between 756 and 773 CE, during the rule of Krishna I, the Rashtrakuta king. Historical documents and inscriptions indicate that Krishna I was the temple’s principal sponsor, despite the absence of a definite dedicatory inscription.
The temple’s construction is linked mostly to the two inscriptions. The Vadodara copper-plate inscription (812–813 CE) and the Kadaba grant of Govinda Prabhutavarsha, according to both inscriptions it is considered that King Krishnaraja is listed as the builder. Some historians claim, however, that work may have begun earlier under Dantidurga, Krishna’s predecessor, and continued under Dhruva Dharavarsha, Amoghavarsha, Govinda III, and Krishna III, later Rashtrakuta rulers.
The temple was built over several generations, based on the architectural and sculpture styles. Certain components, such as the sculpture of Ravana shaking Mount Kailash, were probably added three to four decades after the construction of the main temple. The Paramara king Bhoja and his successor Ahilyabai Holkar made contributions to temple improvements as early as the eleventh century.
Krishna I’s Grand Vision and the Iconic Ravana Sculpture:
According to historian Dhavalikar, The temple’s principal buildings, such as the altar, doorway, Nandi mandapa, lower level, elephant-lion frieze, court elephants, and triumph pillars, were built by King Krishna I. The sculpture of Ravana shaking Mount Kailash, one of the most remarkable aspects, was probably added later.
The detailed and magnificent carvings are recognized as masterpieces of Indian art. This masterpiece represents the trying to raise Shiva’s holy mountain, signifying both his supreme strength and his eventual submission to divine force. According to others, this magnificent sculpture inspired the temple’s name, Kailasa,
Chalukya and Pallava styles’ influence
According to historians the architectural evidence suggests that planning of the temple is already predefined. The Virupaksha Temple in Pattadakal, which was constructed by the Chalukyas as a duplicate of the Kailasanatha Temple in Kanchi, and the Kailasa Temple have comparable architectural features, a Pallava structure. It is thought that King Krishna I brought Chalukya and Pallava artisans to Ellora after the Rashtrakutas defeated the Chalukyas, which had an impact on the final design of the temple.
Engineering:
Historians estimated that the temple could have been finished in 5.5 years with approx. 250 workers per day. Construction was more efficient as the monolithic architecture eliminated the need for stone transportation. The entire temple, in spite of its large scale project, seems to have been thoughtfully designed from the start rather than being added on as an afterthought.
The Rashtrakuta rulers’ vision and the talented craftsman who carved this masterpiece into solid rock are both demonstrated by the Kailasa Temple. It is still regarded as one of the best examples of Indian rock-cut architecture today.
Tale behind the architecture and construction:
According to Krishna Yajnavalki, once a local king suffered from severe illness and her queen prayed to the god Ghrishneshwar (Shiva) at Elapura, promising to construct a temple if her husband recovered. She requested that the king keep her pledge once he recovered. But the architects cautioned that it would take months to build a temple with a shikhara (top).
Kokasa, a talented architect, came forward with a daring concept. In order for the queen to see the shikhara and break her fast within a week, he started carving the temple from the top down. As promised, he finished the top building on schedule, and the temple was given the queen’s name, Manikeshwar. According to historian M.K. Dhavalikar, the Kailasa Temple may have been known as Manikeshwar at one point and was designed by Kokasa. The famous Kokasa family of architects is mentioned in later-century inscriptions, indicating a close relationship to this architectural marvel.
The Architecture of Kailasa Temple:
Carved from single rock, the Kailasa Temple stands as a masterpiece in architectural background. It was influenced by the Kailasa Temple in Kanchi and the Virupaksha Temple in Pattadakal. He native southern craftsmen made a supporting contribution, the Chalukya and Pallava artisans were important in its design, contributing a distinctly southern impact. Let’s explore the details of its architectural brilliance.
The entrance:
A low gopuram welcomes visitors to the temple complex, which has a two-story entry that opens into a large U-shaped courtyard. The size of the courtyard is 82 m × 46 m. The entryway itself exhibits a distinctive symbolism: statues of Shaivite deities, associated with Shiva, rise tall on the left, while Vaishnavite figures, associated with Vishnu, complete the heavenly balance on the right.
The temple heart:
The central part of the temple is dedicated to lord Shiva. The shikhara is made in the style of Dravidian-style. The sacred lingam rests within a flat-roofed mandapa, supported by 16 intricately carved pillars. At the height of 7m Nandi, Shiva’s sacred bull, watches over the entrance from a majestic mandapa.
The gallery:
The courtyard is a three-story arcade, each level adorned with massive sculpted panels. Some notable structures include, Shiva as an ascetic, Shiva as a dancer, Shiva and Parvati, with the demon Ravana lurking nearby, The graceful River Goddess.
Is the temple held up by elephants?
The base of the structure amazes people, it shows that the elephants hold the whole structure. That shows the strength of elephants. The Nandi mandapa and the main temple porch are artistically connected by a rock bridge, which facilitates a smooth transition between the god and the holy guardian.
Bringing Myths to Life
The temple’s hall base, which features brilliant figures from the Mahabharata and Ramayana, is a veritable art treasure collection. The temple combines mythology with craftsmanship to create a story that is told in every square inch. The Kailasa Temple is a masterpiece of ancient Indian rock-cut architecture, a monument to human creativity.
How to reach?
The ellora caves in Maharashtra, is well-connected by air, rail, and road. There are flights from large cities like Delhi and Mumbai to Aurangabad Airport, which is the closest airport, 36 km away. Buses and taxis take roughly 45 minutes to get to Ellora from there. The nearest train station is Aurangabad Railway Station that is 30 km away, which has regular trains from Hyderabad, Pune, and Mumbai. Jalgaon Railway Station is 160 km away is also a good option. By road, Ellora is accessible by state transportation and private buses and is 45 minutes from Aurangabad, approximately 6-7 hours from Mumbai, and 5-6 hours from Pune.
Final Thought:
Kailasa Temple at Ellora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands as a beautiful masterpiece of ancient artistry. Its beautiful sculptures and impressive structures, carved from a single rock, are a reflection of India’s rich cultural legacy. A visit here is a must-do since it provides an insight into devotion, art, and history.
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