The Kailasa or Kailasanatha temple is the largest of the rock-cut Hindu temples at Ellora Caves in Maharashtra, India. Because of its size, architecture, and sculptural treatment, it is considered one of the most remarkable cave temples in the world, and "the climax of the rock-cut phase of Indian architecture." Although the rock face slopes downwards from the back of the temple to the front, the top of the superstructure over the sanctuary is 32.6 meters (107 feet) above the level of the court below. Archaeologists believe it was built from a single piece of rock. In this article, we will discuss the Kailasanatha Temple - Art and Architecture of Rashtrakutas which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Cave 16 - Kailasanatha Temple

Kailasanatha Temple - Features

• The temple's construction began during the reign of Rashtrakuta king Dantidurga (735-757 AD).
• The temple's major construction was completed by King Dantidurga's successor, Krishna I (757-773 AD), though work continued for more than a century under many successive kings.
• It is situated in the Maharashtra town of Ellora.
• The carving of the temple began at the mountain's summit, but a pit was later dug around the temple on the sloping side of the hill.
• Aside from the gopura, the main temple has a sabha griha (hall), vestibules, and a Nandi mandap that leads to the garba griha (sanctum) with the Shiv linga, all of which are intricately carved and have Dravidian shikharas (towers).
• The Nandi mandap is linked to Gopuram by a bridge.

Pallava-Chalukya Influence

• No major part of the monolithic temple appears to have been an afterthought: architectural evidence suggests that the entire temple was planned from the start.
• The main shrine resembles (but is much larger than) the Virupaksha Temple at Pattadakal, which is a replica of the Kailasa temple at Kanchi.
• The Chalukyas of Badami commissioned the Pattadakal Virupaksha Temple to commemorate their victory over the Pallavas, who built the Kailasa temple in Kanchi.
• According to the Virupaksha temple inscriptions, after defeating the Pallavas, the Chalukyas brought the Pallava artists to Pattadakal.
• It is said that after defeating the Chalukyas, Krishna must have been impressed by the Virupaksha Temple, which is located in their territory.
• As a result, he brought the Virupaksha Temple's sculptors and architects (including some Pallava artists) to his own territory and commissioned them to build the Kailasa temple at Ellora.
• If the architects of the Virupaksha temple assisted in the construction of the Kailasa temple at Ellora, the construction of a massive temple during the reign of a single monarch does not appear to be impossible.
• The architects had a blueprint and a prototype, which must have significantly reduced the time and effort required to build a new temple.
• Furthermore, quarrying a monolithic temple would have required less effort than transporting large stones to build a new temple of comparable size.
• It is estimated that 250 labourers could have completed the Kailasa temple at Ellora in 5.5 years if each person could cut around 4 cubic feet of rock per day.
• The presence of non-Rashtrakuta styles in the temple can be attributed to the involvement of Chalukya and Pallava artists.

Construction Method

• The vertical excavation of the Kailasa Temple is notable—carvers began at the top of the original rock and excavated downward.
• The master architect strictly adhered to traditional methods, which could not have been accomplished by excavating from the front.
• The construction of the Kailasa temple appears to be mentioned in a medieval Marathi legend. The earliest extant text mentioning this legend is Krishna Yajnavalki's Katha-Kalapataru (c. 1470-1535 CE).
• According to legend, the local king was afflicted with a terrible disease. At Elapura, his queen prayed to the god Ghrishneshwar (Shiva) to heal her husband. She vowed to build a temple if her wish was granted, and she promised to fast until she could see the temple's shikhara (top).
• After the king was cured, she asked him to build a temple right away, but multiple architects said it would take months to complete a temple with a shikhara. One architect named Kokasa assured the king that the queen would be able to see a temple's shikhara within a week.
• He began building the temple from the top down, carving a rock. He completed the shikhara in less than a week, allowing the queen to break her fast. Manikeshwar, after the queen, was the name given to the temple.

Architecture

• The architecture of the Kailasa temple differs from the earlier style prevalent in the Deccan region.
• It appears to be based on the Virupaksha Temple in Pattadakal and the Kailasa Temple in Kanchi, as stated above, but it is not an exact replica of these two temples.
• The involvement of Chalukya and Pallava artists in the temple's construction explains the southern influence on its architecture. The indigenous Deccan artisans appear to have taken a back seat in the temple's construction.
• A low gopuram guards the entrance to the temple courtyard. The majority of the deities on the left side of the entrance are Shaivaite (affiliated with Shiva), while the deities on the right side are Vaishnavaites (affiliated with Vishnu).
• A two-story gateway opens to reveal a courtyard in the shape of a U. The courtyard measures 82 m x 46 m at its widest point. The courtyard is surrounded by a three-story-high columned arcade.
• The arcades are broken up by massive sculpted panels and alcoves containing massive sculptures of various deities. Originally, stone flying bridges connected these galleries to the central temple structures, but these have since collapsed.
• Shiva the ascetic, Shiva the dancer, Shiva being warned by Parvati about the demon Ravana, and river goddess are some of the most famous sculptures.
• A central shrine dedicated to Shiva and an image of his mount Nandi can be found within the courtyard (the sacred bull).
• The central shrine, which houses the lingam, has a flat-roofed mandapa supported by 16 pillars, as well as a Dravidian shikhara.
• The shrine is carved with niches, plasters, windows, and images of deities, mithunas (erotic male and female figures), and other figures. It has pillars, windows, inner and outer rooms, gathering halls, and an enormous stone lingam at its heart.
• Nandi sits on a porch in front of the central temple, as is customary in Shiva temples. The Nandi mandapa and main Shiva temple are both about 7 metres high and two stories tall.
• The Nandi Mandapa's lower stories are both solid structures with elaborate illustrative carvings.
• The temple's base has been carved to look like elephants holding the structure aloft. A rock bridge connects the Nandi Mandapa to the temple's porch.
• The temple hall's base is decorated with scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana.

Conclusion

The Kailasa or Kailasanatha temple, located in Ellora, Maharashtra, India, is one of the largest rock-cut ancient Hindu temples. Because of its size, architecture, and sculptural treatment, it is regarded as one of India's most remarkable cave temples. The Kailasanatha temple (Cave 16) is one of the Ellora Caves, a collection of 32 cave temples and monasteries. It was built in the eighth century by Rashtrakutaking Krishna I in 756-773 CE. Pallava and Chalukya styles can be seen in the temple architecture.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which Rashtrakuta king initiated the construction of the Kailasanatha Temple?

A) Dantidurga
B) Krishna I
C) Narasimha II
D) Amoghavarsha

2. The Kailasanatha Temple is dedicated to which deity?

A) Vishnu
B) Shiva
C) Brahma
D) Durga

3. Which two architectural styles influenced the construction of the Kailasanatha Temple?

A) Gupta and Mauryan
B) Pallava and Chalukya
C) Pala and Sena
D) Mughal and Rajput

4. What unique construction method was used in building the Kailasanatha Temple?

A) Horizontal carving
B) Vertical excavation
C) Stepwise construction
D) Modular assembly

5. Which epic scenes are depicted on the walls of the Kailasanatha Temple?

A) Bhagavad Gita
B) Mahabharata and Ramayana
C) Vedas
D) Puranas

GS Mains Questions and Answers

Q1: Examine the architectural significance of the Kailasanatha Temple at Ellora.

Answer: The Kailasanatha Temple is an architectural marvel, notable for being a monolithic structure, carved vertically from a single rock. Its construction required exceptional craftsmanship and engineering, representing both Pallava and Chalukya influences. The temple's detailed sculptures, depicting mythological stories, and the complex layout of the Nandi Mandapa and Shikhara showcase the peak of Rashtrakuta artistry. The temple serves as an example of the grandeur of early medieval Indian architecture.

Q2: Discuss the cultural and religious importance of the Kailasanatha Temple in medieval India.

Answer: The Kailasanatha Temple not only serves as a religious site dedicated to Lord Shiva but also represents the artistic and cultural achievements of the Rashtrakuta dynasty. The intricate sculptures of gods, animals, and mythological stories from the Mahabharata and Ramayana reflect the rich cultural heritage of medieval India. The temple’s blend of southern and Deccan architectural styles emphasizes the cultural syncretism of the period.

Q3: Analyze the influence of Pallava and Chalukya styles on the architecture of the Kailasanatha Temple.

Answer: The Kailasanatha Temple reflects a fusion of Pallava and Chalukya architectural elements. The temple’s layout, sculptures, and gopuram draw inspiration from the Virupaksha Temple at Pattadakal and the Kailasa Temple at Kanchi. This blend of styles represents the cultural exchange between the Pallava and Rashtrakuta dynasties, creating a unique architectural masterpiece that stands as a symbol of the era’s artistic and religious development.

Previous Year Questions on Kailasanatha Temple

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021

Question: The Kailasanatha Temple at Ellora is an example of:
A) Nagara Style
B) Dravidian Style
C) Vesara Style
D) Pallava Style

Answer: B

Explanation: The Kailasanatha Temple is an example of Dravidian style architecture, reflecting the influence of South Indian temple designs.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019

Question: Discuss the contribution of the Rashtrakuta dynasty to Indian art and architecture with reference to the Kailasanatha Temple.

Answer: The Rashtrakuta dynasty made significant contributions to Indian art and architecture, exemplified by the Kailasanatha Temple at Ellora. Built under Krishna I, the temple represents a pinnacle of rock-cut architecture. Its intricate carvings, complex layout, and fusion of architectural styles from the Pallavas and Chalukyas illustrate the Rashtrakutas' role in fostering cultural and artistic growth. The temple’s representation of religious stories through detailed sculptures further highlights the dynasty’s patronage of art and culture.