Monolithic Marvel - Kailasanatha

Kailasanath temple, the abode of Lord Shiva, is considered as one of the gems in the architectural developments of Ellora and stands as a witness to the artistic revolution in Indian cave architecture. Built during the middle of the 8th century CE, evident from an inscription, this grandeur monument provides a glimpse into the architectural style of the Rashtrakuta dynasty.

The temple represents the last stage of evolution in the Hindu cave temple architecture and is the largest monolithic rock-cut shrine in India. It was carved out from top to bottom involving an arduous task performed by an equally skilled workforce.

The building of this gigantic structure through a vertical approach (top to bottom) finds its meaning in a narrative where a queen wishes to abstain from eating until the period she does not witness the construction of a temple with a complete shikara, which she had prayed for if her king was cured of a grievous sickness. This wish turned into a marvelous and aesthetic rendition of Hindu temple architecture.

Puranas, Epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, and other mythological tales were adopted as the themes for the sculptural portrayal of divine figures on the temple walls. Narration played an important part in preserving and communicating the significance of cultural heritage, which has been aptly conveyed through the beautiful and animated sculptures at Kailasanath.