LORD KAILASANATH OF ELAPURA

The monolithic Kailasanath temple is adjudged as the most remarkable of all the cave temples in India. It was built by Danti Durga, a famous Rashtrakuta monarch of eighth century AD. Though there are many places famous for rock out temples, like Ajanta, Kasle, Kanheri Bagh, Mahabalipura etc. this group of 34 cave temples at Ellora are the largest and the most varied. And they are of three types - embracing three religions - the Buddhist, Jain and Brahminical. Their contiguity is another unique feature that registers the catholicity to the highest degree of gratification. The craftsmanship of the sculptors won the copious appreciation of several foreign travelers, like Masudi, the Arab geographer, who classed it as a celebrated place of pilgrimage etc. And a host of men of high eminence like Ferron Malet, Sykes, Farishta, Burgess and Ferguson followed suit, eulogising the superb artistry part by part.

The location of the caves together with the aspiration of the builders for construction has universal appeal and hence visitation by a steady influx of sight-seers more than the devotees ever since their opening eyes upon this world. 

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