Ancient Kailasa Temple

The Kailasa temple is one of the largest single rock-cut ancient Hindu temple located in Ellora, Maharashtra, India. It is said that the temple have been carved out of one single rock, and it is considered one of the most remarkable cave temples in India because of its size, architecture and sculptural treatment. The Kailasa temple is set of the 34 cave temples and monasteries which is known collectively as the Ellora Caves.The temple architecture shows traces of Pallava style.

The construction of the temple is believed to approved by the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I.The Kailasa Temple is exceptional because of it’s vertical excavation. The carvers started at the top of the original rock, and excavated downward is rare art. The entrance to the temple courtyard has been highlighted with a low gopuram.Shaivaite (followers of Lord Shiva) are the most of deities at the left of the entrance and Vaishnavaites (followers of Lord Vishnu) are on the right hand side.

There is a two-storeyed gateway which opens to reveal a U-shaped courtyard and has the dimensions of the courtyard are 82 m x 46 m at the base. Shiva has been dedicated in the central shrine of courtyard. The shrine is in complete look with pillars, windows, inner and outer rooms, gathering halls, and an enormous stone lingam at its heart.