Kailasa
Quick Summary
The Kailasa temple, located at the Ellora Caves in India, is a remarkable Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It symbolizes Mount Kailash, Shiva's Himalayan abode.1
Unlike most temples, Kailasa was not built stone by stone but carved downwards from a single rock face, excavating approximately 150,000 to 200,000 tons of basaltic rock. This monolithic structure, completed in the 8th century, measures about 164 feet long, 108 feet wide, and 100 feet high. Its architecture, in the style of southern Indian temples, includes a shrine, inner sanctum, and porches. The temple's surfaces are intricately carved with figures and symbols from Hindu scriptures, depicting scenes from mythology. It is considered an extraordinary feat of sculptural splendor and took over a century to complete.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
IndiaLiterature and the artsā¦rock-cut temples such as the Kailasa at the Ellora Caves, under Chalukya and Rashtrakuta patronage, displayed a style of their own. The dominant style in the south was that of Chola sculpture, particularly in bronze. The severe beauty and elegance of these bronze images, mainly of Shaiva and Vaishnava deitiesā¦
Read Moreā¦rock-cut temples such as the Kailasa at the Ellora Caves, under Chalukya and Rashtrakuta patronage, displayed a style of their own. The dominant style in the south was that of Chola sculpture, particularly in bronze. The severe beauty and elegance of these bronze images, mainly of Shaiva and Vaishnava deitiesā¦
Read More- South Asian artsMedieval temple architecture: South Indian style of Tamil Nadu (7thā18th century)
ā¦some fine templesāfor example, the KailÄsanÄtha (dating a little later than the Shore Temple), with its stately superstructure and subsidiary shrines attached to the walls. The enclosure wall has a series of small shrines on all sides and a small gopura. Another splendid temple at KÄnchipuram is the Vaikuį¹tha PerumÄlā¦
Read Moreā¦some fine templesāfor example, the KailÄsanÄtha (dating a little later than the Shore Temple), with its stately superstructure and subsidiary shrines attached to the walls. The enclosure wall has a series of small shrines on all sides and a small gopura. Another splendid temple at KÄnchipuram is the Vaikuį¹tha PerumÄlā¦
Read More - South Asian artsMedieval Indian sculpture: Maharashtra and Karnataka
The Kailasa temple (c. 757ā783) has a remarkable group of elephants struggling with lions all around the plinth. Of the several large reliefs, also at Kailasa, the depiction of Ravana shaking Kailasa is a composition of considerable grace and charm.
Read MoreThe Kailasa temple (c. 757ā783) has a remarkable group of elephants struggling with lions all around the plinth. Of the several large reliefs, also at Kailasa, the depiction of Ravana shaking Kailasa is a composition of considerable grace and charm.
Read More
