A single blog post to describe the grandeur of Ellora caves in Aurangabad doesn't do justice. Keeping this thought in mind, I had classified the posts into three different categories- the Hindu, the Buddhist and the Jain cave temples. This is the third and last part of the series that talks about Jain Caves.
Cave No. 30- 34 in Ellora are dedicated to Jainism specifically to Digambara sect. These cluster of caves are located away from the bustle of other Hindu and Buddhist caves. Though they are smaller in size and grandeur compared to Hindu and Buddhist caves, their beauty is still equally blinding as that of other caves. These caves were excavated between 9th and 10th century. They share architectural and design similarities with that of some Hindu caves with the exception that these are dedicated to twenty- four Jinas (spiritual conquerors who have attained Moksha) of Jainism. These temples also depict carvings of gods and goddesses, yaksha (male nature deity) and yakshi (female nature deity) and other human devotees from Jain mythology.
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Path that leads to Cave No. 32-34
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View from outside the caves
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Earliest of the Jain caves is Cave No. 30 or what is referred to as Chota Kailash due to its resemblance to Kailash temple in Cave no. 16. Built in the Dravidian style, it has a monolithic shrine as well as a gopura just like cave no. 16 but it does not have a 'nandimandapa'. It gives the impression of an 'unfinished temple' yet the interiors of the temple are well carved and complete. It houses two larger-than-life-size reliefs of dancing Indra that resembles a dancing Shiva (as Nataraja) usually depicted in Hindu temples.
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Chota Kailash
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Cave 32 and 33 are called as Indra Sabha (mainly called so because of its assembly hall) and Jagannata Sabha respectively. An idol of Vardhamana Mahavira Swami resides in Indrasabha with a yaksha and yakshi idols guarding outside. This elaborately decorated cave has beautiful pillars, large sculptural ceilings and panels.
Most of these caves are architecturally very fine with decorative pillars, exquisite paintings and ceilings. Eye- catching among the ceilings is the lotus sculpture on the ceiling in Indra Sabha.
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A panel outside Cave no. 32
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| Lord Mahavira with Yaksha and Yakshi |
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| Lord Bahubali |
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| Lord Mahavira |
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| The lotus relief on the ceiling and square pillars inside Indra Sabha |
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Sculpture of Matanga Yaksha in cave no. 33
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| Carvings on pillars |
We did not visit Cave no. 34 as the walk across the vast area had both exhausted and famished us. Exploration of these caves means mental endurance and resilience as well as physical stamina. And, we were quite happy that we had missed only one/ two caves and rest all had been tick marked from the list.
P.S: While in Aurangabad, do not miss the jalebi and rabdi that is served in Green Leaf restaurant that is absolutely delectable.
