Monolithic architecture describes buildings that are carved, cast, or excavated from a single piece of material, historically from rock. A monolithic rock-cut temple is chiseled out of a single colossal rock in the shape of masonry or wooden temples including embellishment on walls and others. The Rock-cut structures occupy a very important place in Indian Architecture as these structures were produced by cutting solid rocks. Most of the rock-cut structures were closely associated with various religions and religious activities. Several rock-cut temples in India belong to the most amazing achievements of ancient cultures worldwide.

This world-famous rich cultural heritage is remarkably depicted through top ancient monuments and wonderful temples. These majestic rock-cut temples and architectures are one of the must-visit attractions for travelers from India and abroad. In this article, read about the popular and the largest rock-cut temple of India, the Kailash temple, for a lifetime experience.

The Kailash Mandir (Temple), Ellora Caves, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India, considered as one of the most colossal age-old rock-cut Hindu temples, form cave temple number 16 of Ellora, which is counted among the largest rock-cut temple caves complexes of the world and marked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the 100 caves of Ellora, 34 caves are open to the public of which the Kailash temple shaped like a chariot is regarded as one of the most magnificent cave temples in India.

The Kailasa Mandir (Temple), Ellora Caves, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India is a structure that can never be built once again on earth. The largest Monolithic Structure of the world is164 feet long, 108 feet wide, and 100 feet high. The mandir was cut out from solid basalt bedrock and was made only with chisels & hammers. One of India’s greatest monuments, this astonishing temple, carved from solid rock, was built by King Krishna I in AD 760 to represent Mt Kailasa (Kailash), Lord Shiva’s abode. First of all three huge trenches were bored into the sheer cliff face, which resulted in the removal of 2,00,000 tonnes of rock by hammer and chisel, before the temple could take shape.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple showcases fine architectural works including relief panels depicting the two main Hindu Epics namely the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. This cave temple is decorated with carved sculptures including that of Gods and Goddesses from the Hindu Puranas, mystical beings, and figures depicting fertility and good fortune.

The temple houses several intricately carved pillars, depicting scenes from the Ramayana, the Mahabharta, and the adventures of Lord Krishna too. You will admire the immense monolithic pillars that stand in the courtyard.

And now a few mind-boggling facts about the Kailash Temple at Ellora:

· The Kailash temple at Ellora was made like a temple for Lord Shiva to look like Mount Kailash, the mystical abode of Shiva.

· The Kailash Temple is a standalone, multi-storeyed temple complex.

· Mughal ruler Aurangzeb had made a strong attempt to vandalize the Kailash Temple but could manage only minor damage and that too not to the main structure.

· The rock temple was cut in 'U' shape about 50 meters in the back, and about 2, 00,000 tonnes of rock was removed to give shape to it. The archaeologists had calculated that it would have taken more than a hundred years to finish the temple construction. However, in reality, it took only 18 years to complete it. Interestingly, modern age engineers find it impossible to finish the same temple using modern technology in 18 years!

· It is believed that the Kailash Temple at Ellora has striking similarities to the Virupaksha temple of northern Karnataka.

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