The Ellora Grottoes, an impressive display of religious art and architecture
The Ellora Grottoes are an impressive complex of caves and temples carved into the rock, located in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The complex consists of a total of 34 caves, stretching along a two kilometer stretch of hillside. The caves are a fantastic example of ancient Indian architecture and sculpture, and are considered one of the most striking sites in the world.
These structures were dug into a cliff in the Charanandri Mountains between the 6th and 13th centuries AD during three distinct eras, with Buddhist, Hindu and Jain temples being built respectively. The buildings are arranged in chronological order, with the oldest Buddhist grottoes located at the southern end and the most recent Jain ones at the northern end. All the grottoes are numbered; 1 to 12 are Buddhist, 13 to 29 are Hindu and 30 to 34 are Jain.
In the Buddhist part of the grottoes, almost all viharas or monasteries, carved in several floors with sculptures of Buddha and other divinities, are some of the most outstanding temples of the complex. Cave number 10, also known as "Vishwakarma", is particularly spectacular, with its vaulted ceiling completely carved and ornamented with different deities and disciples of Buddha.
The Ellora Grottoes are an impressive ensemble of temples and monasteries carved into the rock where Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism coexisted harmoniously for centuries.
The rich stone works range from engravings to complete sculptures.
The Hindu caves are equally wonderful and detailed. Caves number 16 and 21, also known as Kailasha Cave and Dhumar Lena Cave respectively, are two of the largest and most prominent in the complex. Kailasha Cave, which is actually a large monastery completely carved out of the rock, is one of the most remarkable caves; the climax of the rock-cut phase of Indian architecture. It is a very detailed temple with arcades, courtyard, columns and a series of reliefs and sculptures beautifully decorated with all kinds of motifs, from animals to the Hindu deity Shiva.
The Dhumar Lena cave, meanwhile, has a large number of sculptures and reliefs, including a sculpture of Ganesha, the elephant god. This isolated shrine is set within a group of halls arranged in a cruciform plan, with halls adorned with six huge sculptural panels depicting various episodes related to Lord Shiva.
Of the Jains, the most contemporary stage of the Ellora Grottoes, number 32, called Indra Sabha Cave, stands out. The cave corresponds to a series of shrines dedicated to Mahavira spread over two floors, with an open courtyard with fabulous pillars and statues. As in the rest of Ellora, the decorations carved in the rock have an amazing level of detail.
In addition to those mentioned above, the Jagannatha Temple and the Dasavatara Temple are also remarkable. This group of temples forms a majestic architectural and sculptural work of art completely carved in basalt, and represents a time when India was in a period of cultural and spiritual flourishing where different religions coexisted harmoniously. Because of their historical and cultural significance, the Ellora Grottoes were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
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