Ellora, India – a small trading village that might have remained unknown to anyone if not for the unique cave temples carved directly into the rocks. Being a true standard of ancient Eastern religious architecture, they impress with their grandeur and incomparable atmosphere.
General information
The Black Ellora Caves, created between the 6th and 9th centuries AD, are located in the village of the same name in Maharashtra (central part of the country). The place for their construction was not chosen by chance, because in ancient times just at this point, located near Ajanta, numerous trade routes converged, attracting merchants and travelers from all over the world. It was on their basis that this complex was built, or rather, it was carved into the strongest rock.
The structure, which shows the tolerant attitude of Hindus to representatives of other faiths, consists of a number of temples divided into 3 groups – Buddhist, Jain and Hindu. For the convenience of tourists, scientists and guides, all of them are numbered in the order of construction – from 1 to 34.
Four rivers cross the mountain from west to east, where the unique Ellora caves are carved. The largest of them, Elaganga, forms a powerful waterfall that appears here only during the rainy season.
Scientists studying the cave temples of Ellora have not been able to find any scientific evidence on how exactly one of the most unusual religious structures in India was built. Most of the current theories are based on information taken from ancient manuscripts and copper tablets. It was with their help that it was established that the Ellora caves began to be converted into temples around 500 AD, when monks who had fled from Ajanta moved to this area.
Today, the temples, which, despite the centuries-old period of their existence, are in excellent condition, are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and are under state protection. Today, sculptures, bas-reliefs and rock carvings carved on their walls can be used to study Indian culture, mythology and history.
Structure of the complex
It will take more than a day to explore the many Ellora temples in India. If you have only a few hours at your disposal, get acquainted with the structure of this complex in absentia – this will allow you to create the most optimal route.
Buddhist temples
Buddhist halls, from which, in fact, the construction of this grandiose attraction began, are located in the southern part of the complex. There are 12 of them in total – and all but one of them are viharas, small monasteries used for meditation, teachings, religious rituals, overnight stays and dinners. The main feature of these caves are considered to be sculptural images of the Buddha sitting in different poses, but always looking east, towards the rising sun. Impressions of Buddhist monasteries remain ambiguous – if some of them are clearly unfinished, then in others there are as many as 3 floors and a huge number of various sculptures.
To get to this part of the complex, you need to overcome a narrow staircase that goes underground for about 20 m. At the end of the descent, visitors can see Tin Thal, the central Buddhist temple of Ellora. The three-story statue, considered one of the largest cave sanctuaries in the world, looks extremely simple: three rows of square columns, narrow entrance gates and monumental basalt platforms decorated with rare carved patterns. Tin-Thal itself consists of several spacious halls, in the semi-darkness of which majestic basalt sculptures glisten.
The Rameshwara Buddhist Monastery, which is featured in many of Ellora’s tourist photos in India, is no less exciting. Although it is smaller and smaller than the central building, it is far superior in terms of the richness and beauty of its interior design. Every inch of this structure is decorated with fine carvings, reminiscent of frozen in terrible tension human hands. Rameshwar vaults are supported by 4 columns, the upper parts of which are made in the form of large female figures, and the lower parts are decorated with high reliefs on the theme of Indian mythology. Inside the temple is a lot of fantastic creatures that surround the entrance from all sides and evoke a genuine sense of fear. Ancient masters were able to convey the plastic movements so accurately that the images of gods, people and animals that adorn the walls of the cave look as if they are alive.
Hindu temples
17 Hindu caves located on the top of Mount Kailash, are a huge monument carved out of a monolithic rock. Each of these shrines is good in its own way, but the only one that arouses the greatest interest is the Kailasanath temple. Considered the main gem of the entire complex, it impresses not only with its size, but also with its unique construction technology. The huge sanctuary, whose height, width and length are 30, 33 and 61 m, respectively, was carved from top to bottom.
The construction of this temple, which lasted for 150 years, took place in stages. First, the workers hollowed out a deep well, removing at least 400 thousand tons of rock. Then numerous stone carvers created 17 passages leading to the great halls. At the same time, the masters began to create vaults and carve additional rooms, each of which was intended for a specific deity.
The walls of the Kailasanatha Temple in Ellora, also called the “peak of the world”, are almost completely covered with bas-reliefs showing scenes from the holy scriptures. Most of them are associated with Shiva – it is believed that the supreme god of Hinduism sat on this mountain. The patterns and patterns appear voluminous when viewed closely. This is especially noticeable at sunset, when numerous shadows appear from the figures carved in the stone – it seems as if the picture gradually comes to life and begins to move slowly in the rays of the setting sun.
Scientists believe that this visual effect was invented on purpose. Unfortunately, the name of its author has remained unknown, but the fact that the same architect worked on the project of Hindu caves is beyond doubt-this is indicated by a copper tablet found in one of the caches.
Due to the specific composition of the rock, the Kailasanatha Temple in Ellora (India) has remained virtually unchanged since its foundation. Moreover, in some places you can see traces of white paint, which gave these caves a resemblance to snow-covered mountain peaks.
Jain temples
The latest and youngest Ellora caves are located in the northern part of the complex. They are separated from the rest of the buildings by about 2 km, so many tourists do not reach here. There are five Jain temples in total, but only one is finished. For some unknown reason, work on the construction of the largest Indian shrine suddenly stopped, although the Jain cult at that time was experiencing the greatest peak of its development.
The cave temples of the Jains, decorated with carvings and elegant bas-reliefs, are dedicated to the three gods – Gomateshwar, Mahavir and Parshvanath. In the first of them, you can see a naked statue of a deity immersed in a deep meditative state – his legs are entwined with vines, and at the base of the statue itself you can see images of spiders, animals and reptiles.
The second cave, dedicated to the founder of Jain philosophy, is decorated with sculptures of menacing lions, huge lotuses and Mahavir himself. As for the third, which is a smaller copy of the Shaivite temple, only the remains of the ceiling painting remain in it, which is of great interest to both professional art historians and ordinary visitors.
Useful tips
If you are planning to visit the Ellora caves in India, read the recommendations of those who have already visited them:
- There are a lot of monkeys frolicking at the entrance to the complex, for which it is not worth snatching a camera or video camera from the hands of a gawking tourist, so all more or less valuable things should be held tightly.
- Many caves are semi-dark – be sure to bring a flashlight, because without it you simply will not see anything.
- Walking through the halls, do not forget about the basic rules of behavior. If for Europeans it is just an interesting tourist site, then for Hindus it is a sacred place. For any violation, you will be taken out without even being given an explanation.
- When planning a trip to the stone temples, do not forget to check their opening hours (Wed-Mon. from 07: 00 to 18: 00).
- It is better to start exploring one of the main attractions of India from Kailasanath. You need to come directly to the opening, because by 12 o’clock it will be crowded.
- If you plan to spend at least a few hours in the caves, take a couple of bottles of mineral water with you. Despite the abundance of stone, it is very hot here, and water is sold only at the entrance.
- Don’t even try to take a couple of stones as a souvenir – this is forbidden here. There are plenty of security guards on the territory of the complex, and it is almost impossible to distinguish them from guides or local residents.
- Don’t settle for selfies with local residents – if you take a picture with at least one of them, you’ll be fighting off the rest for a long time.
- Ellora (India) is famous not only for its unique temples, but also for its rich cultural and entertainment program. So, in early December, a music and dance festival is held here, which attracts a huge number of people. Naturally, in the intervals between performances, they all rush to the ancient caves, which already do not suffer from a lack of tourists.
- It offers visitors 2 dining rooms and many toilets, but the best one is at the entrance.
