the Buddhist caves in Ellora cave complex.
the Buddhist caves in Ellora cave complex.
entrance to the main Buddhist cave, intricately carved with influence of Dravidian architecture styles, from the South of India.
the monastry hall where disciple lived and practiced.
the sanctum sanctorum of the main cave - called the Carpenter's cave - as the roof resembles a complex wooden structure. on left, is the Buddha seated in the Dharmachakra posture.
elevation of the Kailasanath temple, one of the largest megaliths in India.
from behind the Kailasanath temple, one of the largest megaliths in India.
the view from behind the Kailasanath temple, one of the largest megaliths in India.
one of the largest megaliths in India, the Kailashnath temple in Aurangabad is one of the rare medleys of the Deccan and Dravidian architectural styles. It is majorly agreed upon that Krishna I of the Rashtrakuta empire commissioned the construction of this temple, with later kings adding to the structure along time. Interestingly, the temple shows major influences of the Pallava and Chalukya architectural styles, while the Deccan style subtly showing up. There is also a theory that the Rashtrakutas were inspired by the Virupaksha temple of the Chalukyas and brought their sculptors to make this temple. It is known from inscriptions in the Virupaksha temple that the Chalukyas brought in Pallavan sculptors after defeating them to introduce their styles, hence the Pallavan influence too!
main dome of the Kailasanath temple, one of the largest megaliths in India.
rearside of the Kailasanath temple, one of the largest megaliths in India - resembling charriots pulled by elephants, lions, chimeras and Indian dragons. this is very characteristic of the Pallava style of temple architecture.
side view of the Kailasanath temple, from under the cave.
side view of the Kailasanath temple, one of the largest megaliths in India - in rain.
a wall of the Kailasanath temple, showing tales from Mahabharata, an Indian epic.
a wall of the Kailasanath temple, showing tales from Ramayana, an Indian epic.
sculptures of Indian gods and their avatars (incarnations) - there are pictures of Lord Shiva dancing with a trident called thrishul, slaying enemies and in other forms.
another sculture shows Narasimha, an avatar of Vishnu, tearing the abdomen and removing the entrails of the demon king Hiranyakashipu.
statues of lion (left), an Indian dragon (center) and an elephant (right) - depicted as holding the weight of the Kailashanatha temple.
one of the Jain caves with intricate carving of motifs, celestial beings and animals, seen through the South West Monsoon rains.
entrance to one of the Jain caves, with a beautiful pond in the front yard.
carvings on walls of one of the Jain caves.
Indra Sabha, one of the Jain caves with intricate carving of motifs, celestial beings and animals, seen through the South West Monsoon rains.
the first thing you notice in cave 32 is the ध्वज स्तंभ (pronounced as dhwaja stambha) or the flag pole carved in stone. very characteristic of South Indian temple complexes, the flag pole is a tall shaft with ornate carvings of varied significance.
the dhwaja stambha of Ellora's cave 32 has a squarish base, with two rectangles running laterally N-S, E-W. the shaft starts as square, with four small shrines carved out of them on, facing four directions. one of the shrines house a stone carving of the first tirthankara, Rishabhdev.
following this square portion, is an octagonal block, of lesser diameter, followed by a cylindrical 16-faced portion, and finally going into a fluted shaft with lines running across.
the capital is the most important part of the structure. the bracket is a lotus-like bulbous structure on top of the fluted shaft, ornately carved, on top of which there is a pedestal. on the pedestal, there are four ascetics sitting at right angles to each other. out of all the caves, cave 32 and other Jain caves are architecturally rich and ornate with form, functionality and exquisite sculpted beauty!
the dhwaja stambha of Ellora's cave 32 has a squarish base, with two rectangles running laterally N-S, E-W. the shaft starts as square, with four small shrines carved out of them on, facing four directions. one of the shrines house a stone carving of the first tirthankara, Rishabhdev.
following this square portion, is an octagonal block, of lesser diameter, followed by a cylindrical 16-faced portion, and finally going into a fluted shaft with lines running across.
the capital is the most important part of the structure. the bracket is a lotus-like bulbous structure on top of the fluted shaft, ornately carved, on top of which there is a pedestal. on the pedestal, there are four ascetics sitting at right angles to each other. out of all the caves, cave 32 and other Jain caves are architecturally rich and ornate with form, functionality and exquisite sculpted beauty!
the first thing you notice in cave 32 is the ध्वज स्तंभ (pronounced as dhwaja stambha) or the flag pole carved in stone. very characteristic of South Indian temple complexes, the flag pole is a tall shaft with ornate carvings of varied significance.
