Ellora is a village in the Indian state of Maharashtra, about 30 kilometers west of the city of Aurangabad. Since 1983, the system of caves (and numerous castles) has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Ellora Caves are a complex - a silent evidence of the peaceful coexistence of three religions at once, which, along with its highly artistic value, makes this place even more significant for world culture.
This mystery, as well as the stunning sculptures, temples, and the mysterious atmosphere that permeates all of this slightly gloomy and even frightening place, have made Ellora's caves a kind of "visiting card" of India. One has only to imagine that in the dark caves there are 34 temples belonging to three religious cults, the question immediately arises: how the ancient masters, not having at hand ultra-modern instruments, could have created such a magnificent and huge miracle. It is worth noting that there are quite a lot of miracles in the Ellora caves, it is simply assumed that all 17 Hindu, 12 Buddhist and 5 Janai temples are one complex. It is the Ellora caves that are described on the UNESCO World Heritage List, not every single temple.
By the way, on the top of the Kailash Mountains there is another huge temple - the Shaivite, it is called Kailasanatha. It is also referred to the Ellora cave complex. So, according to the legends of ancient Hindus, it is believed that it is this temple that leads to heaven, and it is in it that Shiva himself dwells. This sanctuary is hewn out of a monolithic rock and decorated with carvings, the beauty of which is almost impossible to describe in words: perhaps even a huge construction company with the most cutting-edge tools will not dare to repeat the work of ancient masters.
By the way, Kailasanatha was made under the leadership of a person, not a god or a representative of an alien civilization. This is evidenced by a copper tablet found in one of the caches of a Shaiva temple. It reads something like this: "Oh, Great Shiva, how did I manage to build such a miracle without magic?" After deciphering the master's address to the god Shiva, it becomes clear that Kailasanatha was built by the most ordinary people. How, then, in ancient times, was it possible to literally carve this temple? Alas, there is no answer to this question yet: there are assumptions of archaeologists, builders and architects, but they remain only theories that have yet to be explained to our descendants. At the moment, one can only marvel at the work of ancient masters who showed the world one of the most significant wonders of India - the mysterious Ellora caves.
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Ellora Caves are 34 temples and monasteries, covering about 2 km in length, carved in basalt rocks. They were created between the 6th and 10th centuries alternately by representatives of different religious movements.
Most scholars studying the history and culture of India insist that the temples in this place were not built by chance: it was here in ancient times that the largest trade route passed. How do religious cults relate to trade?
The answer to the Ellora Caves in India, this question may seem too simple and even banal: "The most direct!" The thing is that India in ancient times was in uninterrupted trade: its goods were extremely highly valued in other countries. Many merchants and maharajas were unusually wealthy people. They donated a certain part of their income for the construction of religious temples and the erection of sculptures in the caves of Ellora. There was no need to send gold far away, which paid for the work of ancient skilled craftsmen. Temples were built right next to the trade route, in the place where most of the deals were made.
The sanctuaries of Buddhism (12 caves), Hinduism (17 caves) and Jainism (5 caves), century after century, grew up here one after another, and today they are a clear demonstration of the religious tolerance that reigned then in Indian lands. In the XIV century, the temples of Ellora suffered greatly from the struggle of the Muslims against the pagans, but, despite their efforts, they did not manage to overcome the solid basalt.
If you carefully study the history of India, you can understand why Hindu temples prevail in the Ellora caves. From the middle of the 6th century AD, Hinduism began to supplant Buddhism in most of the country. Excavations by archaeologists and the study of the age of the temples in the Ellora cave complex only once again prove that Buddhist temples were carved first, and only then Hindu ones. In the 8th century, a huge Kailasanatha temple was built, and by the end of the 10th century, five Jain temples were carved. By and large, the Ellora caves are a kind of history textbook, telling with the help of temples and sculptures about religious cults that arose in India at one time or another.
All Ellora caves are numbered in the order of their construction for the convenience of scientists, guides and tourists. Naturally, it will be most convenient to describe them by numbers, but first of all, nevertheless, one should stop at the monolithic (!) Kailasanatha temple, located on the top of the Kailas mountains. The point is that this is the largest and most interesting temple, therefore, it will be discussed first of all. True, as mentioned above, it was carved into the basalt rock already in the VIII century, after the appearance of Buddhist temples in the caves of Ellora.
The temples are carved out of rock with many passages. Almost all caves are viharas (residence, dwelling, abode), which the monks used for teaching, meditation, as well as for such mundane activities as eating and sleeping. As you explore these caves, you can see how their halls gradually increase in size and take on a more sophisticated style.
The Ellora Caves are a collection of magnificent temples, statues, columns and sculptures. The most outstanding is considered to be the Kailasanatha Temple, a kind of center of Ellora.
Kailasanatha rock temple (Kailash)
It was created over a hundred years in the 8th century and was carved from a solid monolith, but not as usual, something is erected from the bottom up, but from top to bottom and from the sides! The temple, decorated with magnificent carvings, symbolizes Mount Kailash, considered by the representatives of four religions - Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and Bon adherents - as sacred, "the heart of the world."
Rock temple Kailasanatha (Kailash).
In particular, the followers of Hinduism revere Kailash as a mountain, where the abode of Shiva is located. Initially, the temple was even whitewashed, specifically in order to make it look like a snow-covered holy mountain. And in the main cache of the temple was found a copper plate with the inscription: "Oh, how could I do something like this without magic?" Indeed: "How ?!"
The Buddhist Caves (also called Vishwakarma Caves) are the earliest of Ellora's caves and date back to the period from 500 to 750 AD. Interestingly, the caves become larger and more beautiful as you move to the north side. Scientists explained this by the growing need for competition with Hinduism, because already in 600 the first Hindu temple appeared here.
A photograph of the sculpture at the south end of the veranda of the temple of Indra Sabha Ellora. The interior of this two-story cave, the Mandapa Column Hall with niches on three sides and a sanctuary in the middle of the back wall, shows the carved figures of the Jain Goddess Ambika with a baby on her knees and a lion. The columns are carved with intricate foliage garland motifs.
Ellora's Hindu monasteries are completely different from Buddhist caves, both in terms of style and decoration. These caves were cut from top to bottom and shaped in stages. There are 17 caves in total, carved between 600 and 870 years.
They occupy the central part of the rock, grouped around the famous Kailash temple. Unlike the solemn and serene Buddhist caves, the walls of Hindu monasteries are covered with living bas-reliefs depicting the events of their Hindu scriptures. All of them are dedicated to the god Shiva, but there are also images of Vishnu and his various reincarnations.
The Jaina Caves are the youngest in the Ellora complex and date back 800-900 years. They are located 2 kilometers to the north, where an asphalt road leads. They reflect the distinctness of Jain philosophy and tradition, including austere asceticism coupled with elaborate decoration. These monasteries are not as large as the Hindu and Buddhist monasteries, but contain exceptionally detailed artwork. Some amazing paintings have been preserved here, which once completely covered the ceilings of temples
The architectural cave complex in Ellora can rightfully be called one of the wonders of the world. The skill of ancient architects was duly appreciated by UNESCO, which included the caves in the World Heritage List.
Kailasanatha temple: "top of the world"
The highest cave temple, Kailasanatha, was created by craftsmen at the direction of the Indian Raja, who is part of the legendary Rashtrakut clan. Modern architects claim that this sanctuary was built according to a plan verified to the smallest detail. Historians who have studied ancient documents that have survived to this day say: "The Kailasanatha Temple was of the greatest importance: it was the gateway to heaven and was an intermediate link between man and higher powers."
They began to carve it in the rock from top to bottom, gradually giving it shape from the sides. This method is unique in construction and has not been used anywhere else. At the top, workers dug the deepest trench in the stone, which would allow carvers from all sides to create passages to huge halls. In parallel with this, the craftsmen carved the roof of the "top of the world" from above. From this we can conclude that a kind of well was originally dug, and only then all the work was carried out in it.
If you look at the architectural elements of the Kailasanatha temple, one can even assume that its style resembles the Dravidian one. True, it only reminds … The huge sanctuary, which is 30 meters high, 33 meters wide, and 61 meters long, is unique in its kind. Its plan and construction method are unique.
At the very beginning of the material, it was said that it has not yet been possible to explain, thanks to what technologies it was possible to carve Kailasanatha in the rock. The calculations of modern specialists shed light on what difficulties the ancient workers had to face in the 8th century. To fully complete the construction of the temple, which was dedicated to Shiva, more than 400,000 tons (!) Of rock had to be gouged and removed from the object. It is even impossible to imagine how many people were employed in the construction of the "top of the world".
Kailasanatha, according to the architect's plan, was divided into three parts. In addition to these three parts, you can count a huge number of additional rooms, each of which is dedicated to a specific deity. In the temple you can see a sculpture of Shiva himself, a multi-armed demon named Ravan, who, according to the cult, was the ruler of all dark forces.
If you carefully examine the entire sanctuary, which, by the way, can take several hours, then you can even conclude without the help of a guide: the temple was built for a long time and conscientiously. Not a single smooth surface: all the walls in Kailasanath are covered with patterns that, upon closer inspection, appear three-dimensional. Just what are the figures of sacred lions and elephants, made by sculptors in compliance with the smallest details.
The Indian temple of Kailasanatha, even if you look at its facade, bewitches and introduces the traveler, whom the paths and roads have led to India, into a state of silent stupor. It is especially magical at sunset. As soon as the sun descends to the horizon and many shadows appear from the carved figures, it seems that they are about to come to life and begin to offer prayers to Shiva.
This visual effect is not accidental: most likely it was carefully thought out and realized by an unknown architect. That it was one person has already been proven thanks to a copper tablet found in an ancient cache. But his name is still reliably hidden by the veil of time. It will not work to describe in words all the decorative elements of the temple in one material: moreover, it is even almost impossible to collect on one page a photo of Kailasanath, which would give a complete picture of all the splendor of this Shaiva sanctuary.
Lingam - - sign, mark, sign - in Hinduism, the main non-anthropomorphic symbol of Shiva in the temple.
Buddhist caves are numbered 1-12 in many guidebooks. Each number of the caves is, as mentioned above, a kind of temple. However, if you carefully examine all of them in order, then the conclusion suggests itself that these are not separate sanctuaries, but a temple complex. For example, Ellora caves numbered 1 and 5 are the most common cells for monks, where they rested after a hard day spent working, praying and meditating. Buddhist cave number 2, in which you can still see sculptures of the guardian of earthly treasures and the patroness of children, most likely, the monks used for long meditations. If you try to highlight one of the most interesting caves in which Buddha was worshiped, then it will be, perhaps, cave number 6. It is in it that the figures of the Buddha and his disciples, Tara and the goddess Mahamayuri are best preserved to this day.which in Buddhism patronizes learning.
1. The cave.
1. The cave.
2. The cave.
3. The cave.
2. The cave.
4. Temple.
5. Temple.
6. Temple.
10. The cave.
People worshiped in cave 10 Buddha statue-3.3m. heights in a teaching position (viyakhana mudra).
11. Caves. Of particular interest is cave number 11. Until 1876, no one knew that it also had a third tier, which for some unknown reason was skillfully camouflaged by builders or Buddhist monks. Nobody doubts that the “eleventh” cave has been reconstructed. After the Buddhists left it, they tried to convert the cave into a Hindu temple. However, the statues of Buddha, for some unknown reason, remained in their places, only on the back wall were images of the deities of Ganesha and Durga. It is these two representatives of the higher powers that belong to the Hindu religion.
12. The cave.
There are the most Hindu caves in the Ellora temple complex: 17. They are numbered from 13 to 29. They are amazingly similar to Buddhist caves, among them there are cells for monks, halls for meditation, communication with the god Shiva and refectory. The main difference is that among the numerous sculptures you will not find Buddha: most often in the Hindu caves of Ellora there are images of Shiva and other deities belonging to this cult.
It is simply not possible to describe all the caves built before the end of the VIII century, each of which is unique in its own way. The main thing that will be interesting for a tourist who is going to visit the largest and most interesting temple complex on our planet is that the legendary "roof of the world" Kailasanatha is among the Hindu temples. It, like all Ellora caves, has its own number - 16. Most of the tourists who come to this mysterious and mysterious place immediately go to the "sixteenth number".
The "roof of the world" in India was described in more or less detail in the middle of the article. However, in this subsection, I would like to add that according to the assurances of local guides, who do not understand where they get information, the construction of cave No. 16 lasted a century and a half, and more than 7,000 people took part in its cutting. This statement cannot be taken seriously, the point is that 7,000 people (three generations) simply could not have time to cut and take out 400,000 tons of rock in a century and a half: and this is not counting the huge number of patterns and sculptures for which it is famous throughout the world of Kailasanatha.
15. Temple.
16. Cave. See the main temple of Ellora above.
18. Temple.
21. Cave.
29. Cave. Dhumar Lena. Hindu temple.
30. Cave.
Five caves numbered 30 to 34, in which the Jain cult flourished for a short period of time, pale before the greatness of Hindu and Buddhist temples. Only cave number 32 can be of interest to a tourist. Here you can get an idea of Gomateshwar, a Jain religious cult, and the importance of meditation in it. It contains a completely nude sculpture of a deity in a state of deep meditation. So deep that time has no power over it: hanging legs are entangled in vines, and under the sculpture itself you can see images of scorpions, snakes and even animals.
All the other caves related to the Jain cult remained unfinished. True, it is worth noting that the servants of this religion tried at one time to create something similar to Kailasanatha. A miniature copy of the Shivaite temple, which was never fully completed, is in cave number 30. If you count the number of Ellora's Jain caves and examine their interior, it is safe to say that Gomateshvara, Parshvanatha and Jina Mahavira were worshiped in India for a very short time.
32. Jaina's cave.
34. Cave.
51. Temple.
Before visiting the Ellora caves, remember that they are all included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and are constantly under protection. All that is allowed on the territory of the cave temple complex are excursions, during which you can take stunning photos of the Ellora caves. It is strictly forbidden to take "pebbles" from this mystical place as a souvenir: almost everywhere tourists are accompanied by guards, who, by the way, are rather difficult to distinguish from local tourists or guides. They reveal themselves only when an unlucky traveler tries to break the rules of staying on the territory of Ellora's caves.
The complex of caves, which consists of temples and a huge number of sculptures, is open from sunrise to sunset. There are no time limits. As soon as the first rays of the sun illuminate the attraction, which is almost on a par with the "Golden Temple" and the temple in Bodhgaya, is considered the most visited tourist destination in India, the entrance to its territory is allowed. After sunset, according to the current rules, only their caretakers have the right to be in the Ellora caves.
The cost of the excursion is only 250 rupees, which is quite a bit when you consider how much the Indian government spends to preserve the largest cave temple complex in the world. “How to get to the Ellora caves?” - such a question can be asked by a tourist who only in India learned about this amazing place. The easiest way to get to the temple complex is from the city called Aurangabad, located 40 kilometers from the caves. By the way, this city has an airport, so even if a traveler arrives in Delhi, he will be able to cover the distance between the capital of India and Aurangabad in a short period of time.