Kailash temple, Ellora

The Kailash  temple is one of the largest rock-cut ancient Hindu temples located

in Ellora, Maharashtra, India. A megalith carved out of one single rock, it is considered one of
the most remarkable cave temples in India because of its size, architecture and sculptural
treatment. The Kailasanatha temple (Cave 16) is one of the 32 cave temples and monasteries
known collectively as the Ellora Caves. The temple architecture shows traces
of Pallava and Chalukya styles. Apart from the temple’s impressive size, it is also remarkable for
its sculptures, as well as for the fine workmanship of its other architectural elements. 

Construction

 This temple derives its name from Mount Kailasa, the Himalayan abode of the Hindu
god Shiva.
 It is generally believed that this temple was constructed in the 8th century AD, during
the reign of Krishna I, a ruler of the Rashtrakuta Empire.
 As the Kailasa Temple is supposed to represent the sacred mountain of Shiva, this
temple was dedicated to this particular Hindu god.
 The construction of the Kailasa Temple is thought to have taken place between 757 and
783 AD.
 over this period of about two and a half decades, a total of 200,000 tons of rock were
excavated out of a vertical basalt cliff in the Charanandri Hills to form the magnificent
temple.
 It may be added that the temple was carved from top to bottom with only simple
hammers and chisels.

Architecture
 The Kailasa temple architecture is different from the earlier style prevalent in
the Deccan region.
 The entrance to the temple courtyard features a low gopuram.[1] 
 Most of the deities at the left of the entrance are Shaivaite (followers of Lord Shiva)
while on the right hand side the deities are Vaishnavaites (followers of Lord Vishnu).
 A two-storeyed gateway opens to reveal a U-shaped courtyard.
 The dimensions of the courtyard are 82 m x 46 m at the base.[1]
 The courtyard is edged by a columned arcade three stories high.
  Within the courtyard, there is a central shrine dedicated to Shiva, and an image of his
mount Nandi (the sacred bull).
  The central shrine housing the lingam features a flat-roofed mandapa supported by 16
pillars, and a Dravidian shikhara.[1] 
 Mandapa are both solid structures, decorated with elaborate illustrative carvings.
 The base of the temple has been carved to suggest that elephants are holding the
structure aloft.
 A rock bridge connects the Nandi Mandapa to the porch of the temple.
 The base of the temple hall features scenes from Mahabharata and Ramayana.[24]
 There are five detached shrines in the temple premises; three of these are dedicated to
the river goddesses: Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati.[1]
 There are two Dwajasthambams (pillars with flagstaff) in the courtyard. A notable
sculpture is that of the Ravana attempting to lift Mount Kailasa.[1]
A Medieval Legend About the Temple
According to a medieval legend told by the Marathi people of Maharashtra, the Kailasa Temple
was actually built within a week. This legend revolves around a queen whose husband was very
ill. The queen prayed to Shiva, asking the god to heal her husband. In return for this favor, the
queen vowed to build a temple dedicated to him and fast until the temple was completed. The
queen’s prayers were answered, and she proceeded to fulfil her vows. The queen’s architects,
however, were concerned about her fast, as such a grand temple would require a long time to
complete. One of the architects, whose name was Kokasa, however, assured the queen that he
could build the temple in a week. Kokasa kept his word, and began carving the temple out of
the rock from the top to the bottom. In a week, the Kailasa Temple was finished.

Conclusion

Covering twice the area of the Parthenon in Athens and being half as high again, Kailasa is an
engineering marvel that was executed straight from the head with zero margin for error.
Modern draughtsmen might have a lesson or two to learn here.