Kailasa Temple - Ellora Caves, India

The Kailasa Temple is the pinnacle of Indian rock-cut architecture. An entire mountain has been carved out to make this amazing Hindu temple dedicated to lord Shiva. Archaeologists and Historians think that it was built around 750 A.D by the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I. Thousands of Pallava sculptors from Tamil Nadu were transported to build this temple, who created the masterpiece of Dravidian architecture. This temple is supposedly carved to resemble Mount Kailash, the home of Lord Shiva. It is also called as Kailash and Kailasanatha temple which makes cave 16. 0:01 The view from outside, notice that there is a balcony above the entrance. 0:45 Ravana is ready to cut off his tenth head, after offering nine of his heads to Shiva 1:12 Life size elephants adorn the lower portion of the temple. Many of them were disfigured by the Muslim ruler Aurangzeb. 1:59 Top view of the temple 2:07 Shiva as Veerabhadra slaying the demon Andaka. Note that he holds a container to prevent the spilling of his blood on ground, which would have created many clones of the demon. 3:11 Shiva rises from Lingam to destroy the Yama, who is the god of death. Markandeya is shown as a child hugging the Lingam. 3:20 An amorous couple hugging, a monkey (?) is also carved. 3:28 Lord Narasimha disembowels Hiraṇyakaśipu 4:10 An inside view of the temple’s main entrance 4:26 A lovely sculpture where kids play with a cow. A mother puts a child directly under the udder to give milk. 4:51 A gigantic flag post (Dhwajasthambha) 5:13 Shiva releases an arrow, while standing on a chariot. 5:43 An elaborate mandapa which is bat infested and not well maintained. 6:43 Ravana shakes the Kailasa mountain and disturbs Shiva 7:03 A kissing couple disfigured by the Muslim ruler Aurangzeb. 7:24 Shiva performing a cosmic dance 7:52 A series of sculptures of deities and a demon. 8:23 Entire Ramayana carved on the wall 8:33 Lord Varaha with a stylized boar face holds Bhudevi up 9:13 Three romantic couples. 9:44 14:16 16:15 17:35 20:14 20:35 21:15 I do not know the story behind these sculptures. May be you could tell me? 10:02 A series of disfigured elephants and lions. 10:33 Ravana tries to pull out a Lingam from the ground. 11:33 This is considered as the Sanctum Sanctorum, you can see the main God (Lingam) inside the chamber. 13:15 A rare carving of Shiva as a beggar. This form of Shiva is called Bhikshatana. 13:44 A panoramic view of the temple 14:54 Lord Vamana puts one foot on earth and the other on sky. 15:42 A woman passionately hugs a man. 15:50 Shiva carved inside a lingam. This form is called Lingodbhava. 16:33 A bridge is carved on the second floor to connect 2 mandapas. 17:07 Lord Brahma is carved, this is a rare occurrence. 18:38 Vishnu breaks a demon’s bones. What is the story behind this? 19:10 Lord Krishna lifts mount Govardhana 19:31 An episode from Mahabharata Follow Me on: Instagram................ Twitter...................... :// Website....................