The Kailasha or Kailashanatha Temple stands as a true wonder of ancient architecture, located within cave 16 of the Ellora Caves in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. It holds the distinction of being the largest monolithic rock-cut structure in the world, carved entirely from a single basalt rock sourced from the Charanandri Hills. Its awe-inspiring size, remarkable architectural features, and intricate carvings make it an exceptional marvel among temples in India, captivating the hearts of history and architecture enthusiasts alike. Dating back to the 8th century, this incredible temple was commissioned under the patronage of Krishna I and is dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Shiva. Its legendary associations add to its mystique, leaving visitors in awe as they witness the immaculate craftsmanship achieved solely through traditional methods on a single rock. Often likened to the Virupaksha Temple in northern Karnataka, the Kailasa Temple took an impressive 18 years to complete and required an astounding 2,00,000 tonnes of rock to be meticulously sculpted into this astonishing engineering feat.
Maharashtra
Aurangabad
It was constructed in the 8th century AD during the reign of Krishna I, a prominent ruler of the Rashtrakuta Empire. Remarkably, the temple's construction seems to have spanned the reigns of several kings, incorporating diverse architectural designs. According to the legend cherished by the Marathi people, an extraordinary tale surrounds the temple's swift construction. In the past, a queen faced distress as her husband fell gravely ill. She sought divine intervention from Lord Shiva, vowing to build a temple in his honor and observe a fast until its completion, if her husband were to be healed. In response to her earnest prayers, Lord Shiva granted her wish and restored her husband's health. True to her word, she commenced her fasting and temple construction. However, the temple's architects grew concerned, fearing that the construction process might be overly protracted. One architect named Kokasa rose to the challenge, assuring that he would complete the temple within a mere week. Through his extraordinary dedication and skill, the Kailashanatha temple was miraculously erected in an astonishingly short time, immortalizing the tale of faith, devotion, and swift craftsmanship. Legend According to legends, a local king fell gravely ill, suffering from a terrible disease. In Elapura, his devoted queen earnestly prayed to the deity Ghrishneshwar, also known as Shiva, seeking his divine intervention to heal her husband. She made a solemn vow that if her wish were granted, she would construct a temple in the deity's honor and fast until she could witness the completion of the temple's shikhara, or topmost pinnacle. Miraculously, her prayers were answered, and the king's health was restored. Eager to fulfill her promise, she implored the king to commence the temple's construction immediately. However, the architects expressed their doubts, stating that it would take several months to complete a temple with a shikhara. Amidst these concerns, an architect named Kokasa stepped forward with unwavering confidence, assuring the king that the queen would indeed see the temple's shikhara within a week. Undeterred by conventional construction methods, Kokasa ingeniously decided to build the temple from the top down, starting with the carving of the rock to create the shikhara. Remarkably, he skillfully crafted the entire shikhara in less than a week, fulfilling his promise to the queen and allowing her to break her fast. As a testament to this extraordinary event, the temple was bestowed with the name "Manikeshwar," signifying the divine grace and the devotion that inspired its creation.
The architecture of the Kailasa temple stands apart from the earlier prevalent styles in the Deccan region. While drawing inspiration from the Virupaksha Temple in Pattadakal and the Kailasa Temple in Kanchi, it is not a mere replica of these two structures. Instead, it showcases a unique blend of influences, particularly from the southern regions, owing to the involvement of Chalukya and Pallava artists in its construction. This has led the indigenous Deccan artisans to take a more subordinate role in shaping the temple's design. The temple's entrance is guarded by a low gopuram, leading to a courtyard that takes on the shape of a U. Stretching out to 82 meters by 46 meters at its widest point, the courtyard is surrounded by a three-story-high columned arcade. Along the arcades, one can find imposing sculpted panels and alcoves, housing massive sculptures of various deities. Notably, the deities on the left side of the entrance predominantly belong to the Shaivaite tradition (associated with Shiva), while those on the right side are mainly Vaishnavaites (associated with Vishnu). Originally, stone flying bridges connected these arcades to the central temple structures, adding to the temple's grandeur and complexity. However, over time, these bridges have collapsed, leaving behind an awe-inspiring glimpse of the temple's past glory and the intricate craftsmanship that once adorned its sacred halls.
Visitors will find the flavors of North India and Hyderabadi cuisine like kebabs, biryani, etc, very easily.
Marathi is widely spoken here but tourists can communicate with the locals in English as well.
June to March are the best months to visit the Ellora Caves to avoid the hot weather.
