Author: P R Srinivasan
Publisher: Archaelogical Survey of India
Year: 2007
Language: English
Pages: 96
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8187780436
Description
This guidebook is part of the World Heritage Series published by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Representing the three major religions of India, the ancient caves of Ellora are, in scale and detail, a breathtaking example of rock-cut architecture that stand testimony to the imagination and artistry of its creators. Located about 29 kms to the north-west of Aurangabad and about 100 kms from Ajanta, Ellora lies on an ancient trade route or the dakshinapatha, and thus has always remained in the public eye.
The Buddhist Caves differ from the Ajanta caves in their subject, arrangement and details. The Visvakarma cave (No.10), famous for its elaborate façade, is one of the finest examples of a Chaitya temple.
Among the Brahmanical Caves, one is overwhelmed by the magnificent proportion and stupendous workmanship of the Kailasa (Cave 16), regarded as one of the greatest monolithic sculptures in the world.
Of the five Jaina caves, the Indra Sabha and Jagannath Sabha stand out as imposing and intricately carved.
The caves, declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 1983, are of abiding interest both to the tourist and the connoisseur of architecture and sculpture.
Contents
Contents
General Information
Introduction
History
Religions
Architecture
Sculpture
Iconography
Painting
Buddhist Caves
Caves 1-12
Brahmanical Caves
Caves 13-29
The Ganesa-lena group
Jaina Caves
Caves 30-34
Parsvanatha shrine
Other Monuments
Do-Khamba
Siva-Grishnesvara temple
Malik Amber's tomb
Excavations at Ellora
Glossary
Bibliography