Ellora Caves: Monumental Rock-Cut Temples and Shrines

Introduction

Ellora Caves represent a monumental complex of rock-cut temples, monasteries, and shrines spanning Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions, showcasing remarkable architectural and artistic achievements.

Ellora Caves:  Architectural Marvels, and Historical Significance

• Location: It is located in the Aurangabad district, 100km away from Ajanta.
  • It is excavated from the basalt cliffs in the Charanandri Hills.
• Numbers: It is a group of 34 caves – 17 Brahmanical, 12 Buddhist and 5 Jain. [UPSC 2013]
• Time Period: These caves were developed between the 5th and 11th centuries AD (newer as compared to Ajanta caves).
• Themes: They have diversity in terms of theme and architectural styles.
• Features: Their pillars are massive. Ajanta also has excavated double-storeyed caves but at Ellora, the triple-storey is a unique achievement. 

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Buddhist Caves of Ellora: Icons, Symbolism, and Serenity

• Images: The shrine Buddha images are big in size; they are generally guarded by the images of Padmapani and Vajrapani.
• The Buddhist caves have many images belonging to Vajrayana Buddhism, like Tara, Mahamayuri, Akshobya, Avalokiteshwara, Maitreya, Amitabha etc.
• Central Figure: The central figure is Buddha, found in three sagacious postures: meditating (dhyana mudra), preaching (Vyakhyana mudra) and touching the earth by the index finger of the right hand (bhumi-sparsha mudra). 
• Buddhist caves represented goddesses by way of the carved images of Tara, Khadiravani-tara, Chunda, Vajradhat-vishvari, Maha-mayuri, Sujata, Pandara and Bhrikuti.

Jaina Caves

•  Figures of Yaksha-matanga, Mahavira, Parsvanatha, and Gomatesvara

Cave Temples of Vedic Religions: Exploring Kailasanatha and Beyond

• The earliest caves in these groups are modest and simple. Mostly, they are square-shaped except for the Kailasanatha cave (cave-16).

Some Of The Prominent Caves Of Ellora

CAVE NO	FEATURES
Cave 10	Vishwakarma Cave or Carpenter’s Cave. Buddha seated in Dharmachakra Mudra with a Bodhi tree carved at his back.
Cave 12	A stout female figure is depicted wearing a waistband and headgear of a cobra.  Khadrivani-tara also holds a cobra in one of her hands in the same cave.
Cave-14	Ravan ki Khai Cave
Cave 15	Dashavatar temple
Cave 29	Dhumar Lena Cave
Cave 30	Chhota Kailash (Jain cave)
Cave 32	Indra sabha (Jain cave)
Cave 33	Jagannath Sabha (Jain cave)

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Prominent Cave Sites: Elephanta, Bagh, Junagadh, Mandapeshwar, and Udayagiri

Elephanta Caves (mid-5th to 6th centuries AD)

• Location: It is located on Elephanta Island (otherwise known as the Island of Gharapuri) near Mumbai and was originally a Buddhist site, later dominated by the Shaivite faith.
• Timeline:  It is contemporary with Ellora, and it is famous for its sculptures. 
• It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Mixed Caves: It has Five Hindu caves and a pair of Buddhist caves. 
• The most important cave is the Maheshmurti cave.

Bagh Caves

• Location:  It is located on the banks of Baghni River in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh and is a group of nine Buddhist caves. 
• Period: It was developed around 5th-6th century AD, mostly during the Satvahana period. 
• The most significant cave is the Rang Mahal.

Junagadh Cave

• Its unique feature is the presence of a 30-50 ft high citadel known as ‘Upar kot’ in front of the prayer hall. 

Mandapeshwar Caves (Borivali near Mumbai):

• They are also known as Montperir Caves.
• Developed in the late Gupta period as a Brahmanical cave and was later converted into a Christian cave.

Udayagiri Caves (Different from Udayagiri – kandagiri caves of Odisha)

• Location: It is located in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh and created in the early 5th century AD under the patronage of Chandragupta II.

Conclusion

• Ellora Caves epitomize the harmonious coexistence of diverse religious traditions and the extraordinary craftsmanship of ancient India, serving as a testament to the region’s rich cultural heritage and spiritual legacy.