DYK-1: Kailasanath Temple, Ellora, Maharashtra, India.

 Kailasanatha Temple 

Kailasanatha Temple is one of the most wonderful temple in the world. I don't know, why it is not declared as one of the Best wonders in the world. But no one can deny the greatness of this temple. 

WHY???

- Kailasanatha Temple is the largest of the rock-cut Hindu temples at the Ellora Caves, Maharashtra, - India. 

 

- Kailasanatha Temple is carved from top to bottom. 

 

- Kailasanatha Temple is Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) is one of the 34 Cave temples and monasteries are known collectively as the Ellora Caves.

 

- KailasaNath Temple was built during the period 757 and 773 CE[ 8th-century ] Rashtrakuta king Krishna I based on inscriptions in Kannada.

 

- The world-famous Kailasanath Temple is a marvelous example of Rashtrakuta architecture. 

 

- The Kailasanatha temple exhibits typical Dravidian features.

 

- Within the courtyard, there is a central shrine dedicated to Shiva and an image of his mount Nandi (the sacred bull). 

 

- The central shrine housing the lingam features a flat-roofed mandapa(Hall) supported by 16 pillars(dhwajastambams), and a Dravidian shikhara. It stands on a high plinth(a heavy base supporting a statue) which is carved with sculptures of elephants and lions. 

 

- There are five detached shrines in the temple complex, three of them dedicated to river goddesses Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati.

- The sanctum(a sacred place) contains a huge monolithic linga over a huge yonipitha and the ceiling is decorated with an enormous lotus.

 

- The base of the temple has many sculptural designs depicting events from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

 

- There are detailed sculptures of Ravana shaking Mount Kailasa.

 

- And we can see more sculptures like Shiva and Parvati, Varaha avatar, Narasimha,Durga, Mahishasur... etc.