The geographical features of India provide favorable conditions for making architectural rock-cut temples, with sculptures, paintings, and inscriptions. The talented artists of ancient times utilized the opportunity and created some masterpieces praised and admired even after more than thousands of years. These temples depict the mythologies and legends of the Hindu religion, Buddhism, and Jainism too.
Among all types of architecture and monuments, these seem the most complex to be made. Imagine how someone can make such beautiful carvings and inscriptions on the rock! How much dedication and delicate work it will require! Here is a list of all the famous rock-cut temples in India. But before going through the list, let us tell you something interesting. Pancha Rathas of Tamil Nadu is not a temple but is mistakenly called a temple.
A list of the 10 Most Popular Rock-Cut Cave Temples in India are:
1. Ellora Caves
The architecture of the Ellora Caves can be called one of the most significant accomplishments of Humans. These rock-cut temples of the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra are UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. ASI protects Ellora Caves. The architecture of the Ellora Caves belongs to 600-1000 BCE. The specialty of Ellora Caves is that they are not only rock-cut temples but also rock-cut monasteries. These caves feature monuments of three religions simultaneously, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. This shows the secularism, and harmony of all faiths in ancient India.
And the Kailash Temple, a monument in the shape of Lord Shiva, is the world’s largest single (monolithic) rock architecture. The same temple has sculptures representing other gods, goddesses, and mythologies too. There are 100 caves in this group, but only 34 are open to the public. The Buddhist and the Hindu part of the caves belong to the time of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty, while the Jain part of the cave belongs to the Yadava Dynasty. Read more – 11 BEST Places to Visit in Aurangabad (2022 Guide)
2. Elephanta Caves
Elephanta Caves are also UNESCO World Heritage Sites. ASI protects it. Most of the cave temples of the Elephanta caves belong to Lord Shiva. The Elephanta caves are located on Elephanta Island. These are named so because of many carvings of Elephants. Along with the Hindu temples, this island also has a few Buddha Stupa belonging to the 2nd century BCE and two more Buddhist caves with water tanks. Read More: Elephanta Caves, Mumbai: Best Time to Visit, How To Reach & Tips.
Many artworks of this group are damaged here. These were destroyed by soldiers of the base of the Portuguese. The carvings on the stone tell about Hindu mythology. The most famous structures here are Lord of Dance, Nataraja, Lord of Yoga, Yogishvara, and Trimurti Sadashiva, the three-faced Shiva. And the British officials were the first to make attempts to prevent further damage to the caves. Read more – Top 8 Heritage Caves in India
3. Ajanta Caves
Ajanta, a group of thirty rock-cut monuments belonging to Buddhism, is in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad district. The paintings and sculptures of the Ajanta caves are proof of unparalleled ancient art. These consist of Buddhist monasteries and worship halls. The paintings of the caves picturise the past lives and rebirths of Buddha and the tales of Jatakamala by Aryasura. Read More: Why The Ajanta Caves Are Famous: A Comprehensive Guide.
These architectures are the gem of the religious art of Buddhism. The whole structure and sculptures of the cave were built in two phases. The first phase was around the 2nd century BCE and the second phase was from 460 to 480 CE. The Ajanta Caves were hidden in the dense forest and were discovered accidentally. These caves are also one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites and are protected by ASI. Know more about – Top 10 facts about the Ajanta and Ellora caves, Maharashtra
4. Pancha Rathas, Mahabalipuram
Pancha Rathas is in the Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu, on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. It is also monolithic, made on one rock, architecture in India, is made by cutting stone. It is a monument complex at Mahabalipuram. This complex dates back to the reign of Narashimhavarman. It is clear from its name that it is Five Rathas as the word Pancha means five in Sanskrit. The five rathas of Pancha Rathas are- Dharmraja Rath, Bhima Rath, Arjuna Rath, Nakul Sahadev Rath, and Draupadi Rath. These five Rathas, chariots, are named after five Pandavas.
The most important thing about this rock-cut architecture is it is no temple or shrine, as it is not dedicated to any god or goddess, but is mistakenly referred to as a temple. And that’s why it became essential to mention Panch Rathas here and make things clear. These are one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites and are protected under ASI. Read more – Top 10 Most Famous Temples of Tamil Nadu
5. Karla Caves
Karla Caves, a group of Buddhist rock-cut caves, is at Karli, near Lonavala, Maharashtra. Karli is the place that divides India into two, North India and South India. The construction and development of the shrines of the Karla Caves belong to the 2nd century BCE – 5th century CE. There are some other caves close to the Karla Caves, namely Patan Buddhist Caves, Nasik Caves, Bedse Caves, and Bhaja Caves.
The most famous cave in the complex of Karla Caves is the Grand Chaitya. Grand chaitya is well preserved and is the largest chaitya hall. And this Grand Chaitya is the reason for its popularity among Buddhists and other visitors, despite its being smaller and older than other Buddhist sites in Maharashtra. Karla Caves is also protected under the Archaeological Survey of India. Read more – 100 Best Places to Visit in India
6. Bhaja Caves
Bhaja Caves are located in Pune, Mumbai, dating back to the 2nd century BC. The Archaeological Survey of India protects these caves and all their inscriptions and temples as monuments of National Importance. The noticeable feature of the caves is stupas. Vihara of the Bhaja Caves is embellished with reliefs, figures presented with background supporting it, and from the front, it has a veranda.
The most prominent part of the cave is its chaitya. The unique most of the excavation is its wooden architecture. There is a carving of a woman playing tabla, a musical instrument of India, and another woman dancing. And the carving of tabla proves that outsiders did not introduce tabla to India. These caves have 22 entrances. Read more – List of Popular Temples in Mumbai.
7. Masrur Temples
These Masrur temples are in the Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh. The temple’s entrance is facing toward the Dhauladhar ranges of the Himalayas, giving a mesmerizing sight. The architecture of the Masrur temples is reminiscent of the North Indian Nagara architecture. The temples here are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Devi, and Saura of Hinduism. It is believed that the Masrur temple is incomplete, and the artists had a bigger plan.
Many of the sculptures and temples and reliefs of Masrur temples are lost or damaged. And earthquakes are believed to be the main reason for such significant damage. Here the main temple has smaller temples in the surrounding, which is a mandala pattern. The reliefs here are of Vedic and Pauranic gods and goddesses and picturizes mythologies from Hindu religious texts. Read more – 5 Best Places to Visit in Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh
8. Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves
Formerly, Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves were known as Kattaka Caves and Cuttack Caves. These caves are both natural and artificial. And not only religiously, but it is also essential archaeologically and historically. These are near Bhubaneswar, Odisha. These caves are on Udayagiri and Khandagiri hills, two adjacent hills. There are 18 caves in Udayagiri Caves and 15 in Khandagiri Caves.
In inscriptions, the caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri are known as Lena. And it is believed that these were made during the rule of Kahravela as a residence of Jain monks. The two storeys monasteries of the Ranigumpha group in Udayagiri Caves are the most prominent. Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves are enlisted in the Must-see Heritage of India list. Read more – Top 10 facts about the Konark Sun Temple, Odisha
9. Badami Cave Temples
Again, Badami Caves are a beautiful symbol of harmony between different religions in ancient times in India. It is located in the Bagalkot District of Karnataka. The architectural style of the temples of the cave is reminiscent of the Badami Chalukyas architecture. On the eastern side of the Badami, a human-made lake is there. Read More: Ultimate Guide Badami Cave Temples – Best Time, Entry, Fee, Reach.
And to the north and south, there are forts. Badami Cave temples are representative of some of the most ancient Hindu temple architectures. These cave temples have influenced and inspired other temples made elsewhere. The most famous carving is of Nataraja, the dancing Shiva. It has a cave belonging to Lord Shiva and Vishu, and Jain. Read Also: Top 7 Destinations to Visit in Badami.
10. Kanheri Caves
Kanheri Caves have Buddhist sculptures, carvings, inscriptions, and paintings, which belong to the 1st century CE- 10th century CE. For reaching up, there are rock-cut steps made here. There are 109 caves in the complex of Kanheri Caves. Here, the older excavations are plain in terms of architecture and less embellished, with less fine art than the later ones. There is a stone plinth in every cave. And this plinth functioned as a bed.
There is a gathering hall having vast pillars of stone and a Stupa. The stupa is a Buddhist shrine. Many of the caves were meant for studying, meditating, and living by Buddhist monks. For assembly or worshipping in a large group or as chaitya, more enormous caves were used. The Buddhist monk had enough space and lived in a well-organized manner as there are many Buddhist Viharas. Read more – Top 20 Most Famous Temple in North India
Conclusion
Not only religiously, but these are also popular because of being helpful in archaeological and historical studies too. So, it is not only visited by devotees but also by historians and history lovers, and archaeologists. Most of these cave temples are damaged and destroyed because of going through the rules and reigns of various rulers of different personalities and perspectives. For some, these were just some architecture, and for others, it was finely made beauty by humans that needed to be preserved and maintained. But now, these are protected and supported in different ways by the government.
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