Kailasa Temple - The World’s Biggest Monolithic Structure And Carved Out Of A Single Rock

KAILASA TEMPLE

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ELLORA

The Kailasa temple, one of major tourist attraction in India located in Ellora, Marathwada region of Maharashtra, India is one of the largest rock-cut ancient Hindu temple.

The temple is one of the 34 temples and monasteries known collectively as the Ellora Caves built in the 8^th century by the Rashtrakuta King Krishna I as 

attested in Kannada inscriptions.

The Kailasa’s (cave 16) Striking proportion, elaborate workmanship, architectural content, and sculpture ornamentation of rock-cut architecture made under Dravidian architecture, which is a remarkable example.

The temple covers the wide area of 2 kms and were dug side by side in the wall of high basalt cliff in the complex located at Ellora. It took a long time to complete the temple.

Accurate time and year was unknown but it is said that it was commissioned and completed between 757-783 CE, when Krishna I ruled the Rashtrakuta dynasty. The temple is made of a large stone that forms a prehistoric monument with unique sculpture, inscription on it and designed to recall Mount Kailash, the home of Lord Shiva.

Kailasa Temple, the most impressive of all the temples of Ellora and one of the wonders of India. During the 8th and early 9th centuries, the greatest masters of rock sculpture produced this cave which is known as the Kailasa, the mountain dwelling place of Shiva.

 It is probably the world’s biggest monolithic structure, carved out of a single rock and its conception is simply breathtaking.

Starting at the top of a cliff, a horde of stone-cutters removed three million cubic feet of rock to form a vast pit measuring 107 feet deep, 276 feet long and 154 feet wide, leaving a block in the center which was to become a temple rising from the foot of what had been a hill.

But, despite its colossal proportions, this is all sculptured and its detail is worked as intricately as if it had been an ivory miniature.

This replica of the home of Shiva stands in an open country yard as three separate structures. The main temple rests on a base 25 feet high which appears to be supported by friezes of elephants.

This temple measures 150 by 100 feet under a gabled front and a tower in three tiers beneath a cupola. An over head bridge links the three buildings of Kailasa and its outer gateway.

By Air

Aurangabad airport is located at about 15 kms from the Kailasa temple and it is the closest airport to the Kailasa temple. Aurangabad airport is well connected to major cities of Maharashtra and India. One may fly to Aurangabad and reach Kailasa temple by any local transport.

By Train

Aurangabad is the nearest railway station to reach Kailasa temple which is situated around 30 kms from the temple. There are direct trains available from the major cities in Maharashtra; like Mumbai, Pune, Ahmednagar, Nashik etc. to reach Aurangabad.

By Bus

Aurangabad is the nearest city to Kailasa temple and it is well connected with them by road. From Aurangabad bus and taxi services available to reach Kailasa temple. Aurangabad is also well connected by state transport buses from major cities of Maharashtra like Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Satara, Kolhapur and Ahmednagar.

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A Glance Of Tour For Seven Days In Andaman & Nicobar Islands

 7 DAYS TOUR

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ANDAMAN & NICOBAR

Day 1: Port Blair

Get into town Arrive in Port Blair and check into a hotel of yours choice--just be sure that you have spectacular views of the sea. Go trekking in Madhuban or after lunch, head into town to visit the Cellular Jail and National Museum. Later head to the zoo or fisheries museum, near the water sports complex, a showcase of the unique marine life of the area and Samudrika (Naval Marine Museum) in Delanipur.

Day 2: Island hopping 

Distance: Three island hop cruise 

Time: Day long trip 

After breakfast, head out for the three island hop cruise available from the harbour. First stop is North Bay with crystal clear waters ideal for snorkelling, sea walking or just lazing on the pebbly beach with soft, cool winds blowing. Then head to Ross Island and wander around the erstwhile capital of the British in the Andaman islands, which bears the distinct stamp of colonialism. Scattered all over the island are dilapidated buildings-government offices, church, hospital, bakery, press, even a ball room and swimming pool now in ruins and run over by thick roots and trees bring to mind the visions of Angkor temples. End with Viper Island, named after the vessel which brought the first Britishers.

Day 3: Baratang 

Distance: 115 km 

Time: 3 hours by road 

Head out early for the long drive to Baratang Island in the north. Travelling through the South Andaman to Baratang is a bit like stepping into Joseph Conrad's darkly mysterious Heart of Darkness. Thick, dark forests and scattered rustic habitations line the roads and visitors can occasionally get a glimpse of the Jarawas, the indigenous tribals with their distinctive Negroid features. To add to Baratang's mystique, a long boat ride past dense mangroves and a narrow path leads to ancient limestone caves, while another part of the island contains the only known mud volcanoes in India. Head back to Port Blair.

Day 4: Marine Park 

Distance: 15 km 

Time: 1.5 hour-by road and boat 

A short drive to Wandoor takes visitors to a jetty from where large boats leave for an hour-long ride into the Mahatma Gandhi Marine Park, a protected area with such diversity and richness of marine life that it is stunning. The park is a cluster of 15 islands and many islets with fascinating names. The boat winds its way past a labyrinth of mangroves filled with wildlife. But the ultimate destination is Jolly Buoy Island with a stunning range of marine life and coral reefs.

Day 5: Havelock 

Distance: 70 km 

Time: 3 hours by boat 

After early breakfast, head to the jetty for the three-hour transfer to the popular Havelock Island. Check into Silver Sand Beach Resort (www.silversandhavelock.com) on Vijay Nagar beach. Untouched, the island has a number of beautiful beaches. Relax for the afternoon against the backdrop of the beautiful ocean.

Day 6: Havelock 

Indulge in watersports 

Time: Entire day 

Depending on the level of enthusiasm and ability, there are a variety of activities for visitors. Snorkellers and scuba divers are bound to have much of the fun. Among the most novel things is snorkelling with elephants, where you can swim along the gentle giants to enjoy their company and view the treasures of the sea. For the hardcore, there's surfing.

Day 7: Port Blair 

Distance: 70 km 

Time: 3 hours by boat and road 

Have an early breakfast ahead of the boat ride. If you are lucky you might catch some dolphins. Stop at Aberdeen bazaar for some last minute souvenir shopping; shops such as Queen Sea Shell Craft, Ratna Shell Gallery offer interesting keepsakes, before heading to the airport for the flight back home.