Exploring Kailasa Temple, one of world's most remarkable cave temples

India is home to the very famous Kailasa Temple that is seen as one of the world's most remarkable cave temples. It is held is high esteem across the world with its sheer size, architectural brilliance and grandeur. It is all the more remarkable since Kailasa Temple is also a megalith and is carved from a rock cliff. The remarkable temples stands India's Aurangabad district, and is the largest of the rock-cut temples at the world-famous Ellora Caves.

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What makes Kailasa Temple remarkable?

Kailasa is nothing like any other temples in the country. It is hailed as "the climax of the rock-cut phase of Indian architecture". What makes it all the more interesting is the fact that archaeologists believe it to made from a single rock! It is also the largest temple of the 34 cave temples at the site, including Buddhist, Hindu and Jain temples. Collectively, these temples form the Ellora Caves and are spread over two kilometers.
Kailasa Temple also has traces of paintings that must have been grander in its glorious days. Its architecture has defined traces of Pallava and Chalukya style of architecture and it is believed to be commissioned by an erstwhile Rashtrakuta king. The temple is so majestic in size that architects opine that it must have been built over during multiple reigns, ruled over by many kings during their course. Its main shrine is also similar to the equally interesting Virupaksha Temple that was commissioned by the Chalukyas.

It is to be noted that the temple architects a very complex but brilliant method of construction, starting from the top of the rock and then going downward. The central shrine is dedicated to Hindu deity Shiva, and houses a shivalingam as well. The shrine also has an inspiring Dravidian shikhara and the roof here is supported by 16 pillars that still stand solid.

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If you are in Aurangabad for your next trip, do mark a visit to Kailasa Temple as an essential experience here. Architecture, design, history, spirituality, this is one place where everything comes together.