Kailasa Temple (Ellora Cave 16)
A Temple Carved Down From a Cliff
Overview
The Kailasa Temple is Cave 16 of the Ellora Caves in Maharashtra, India, a monolithic Hindu temple to Shiva carved top-down from a single basalt cliff in the 8th century, under the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I. The largest rock-cut monument in the world, it was excavated by removing an estimated 200,000 tonnes of stone to leave a free-standing, fully carved temple where a hillside had been. It forms part of the Ellora UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is closed on Tuesdays. MyTripMyTravel arranges an escorted early visit before the tour buses arrive.
The Kailasa Temple defies the usual logic of building: it was not constructed but excavated, carved downward out of a single basalt cliff in the 8th century until a complete, free-standing temple, courtyards, towers, elephants, bridges and all, stood where solid rock had been.
Commissioned by the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I and conceived as Shiva's Himalayan abode, Mount Kailash, it removed an estimated 200,000 tonnes of stone with no possibility of correction: everything was subtractive, top to bottom. It is the centrepiece of Ellora's thirty-four caves and among the most astonishing feats of engineering anywhere.
MyTripMyTravel times Kailasa for early entry with an expert guide, before the buses arrive, and sequences it with the finest of the neighbouring Buddhist and Jain caves at Ellora.
At a glance
Kailasa Temple (Ellora Cave 16) in brief
What to see
Highlights
The monolith
An entire multi-storey temple carved downward from one basalt cliff, courtyards, towers and shrines left standing where rock was cut away.
The elephant plinth
The base carved as a row of life-size elephants that appear to carry the whole temple on their backs.
Ravana beneath Kailash
The celebrated relief of the demon-king Ravana shaking Mount Kailash, a masterpiece of depth and drama.
Epic relief panels
Long carved friezes narrating the Ramayana and Mahabharata along the courtyard walls.
The Nandi shrine & towers
The gateway, Nandi pavilion and rock-cut vimana that complete the composition.
Visitor information
Our tips
Plan around the Tuesday closure, Ellora is shut Tuesdays, unlike Ajanta, which closes Mondays.
Arrive at opening; Kailasa fills with groups by mid-morning, and its scale is best felt when it is empty.
Climb the side path to the upper rim for the view looking down onto the whole excavated temple.
Good to know
Kailasa Temple (Ellora Cave 16), your questions
How was the Kailasa Temple built?
It was not built up but carved down, excavated from a single basalt cliff, top to bottom, in the 8th century, removing an estimated 200,000 tonnes of rock to leave a free-standing temple.
Which cave is it at Ellora?
It is Cave 16, the centrepiece of the Ellora complex of thirty-four rock-cut caves.
What day is Ellora closed?
Tuesdays. Nearby Ajanta, by contrast, closes on Mondays, we build itineraries around both.
How long should I spend?
About 1.5 to 2 hours for Kailasa itself, or half a day to add the best neighbouring caves.
Visit with us
See Kailasa Temple (Ellora Cave 16), properly.
A private, chauffeured visit with a licensed expert guide, timed for the best light and the smallest crowds. We fold Kailasa Temple (Ellora Cave 16) into a wider Ellora and West India itinerary, built entirely around you.
- Skip the queue where possible, at the right hour
- Licensed local guide who brings the story to life
- Private car and chauffeur, door to door
Plan your trip
Plan a visit to Kailasa Temple (Ellora Cave 16)
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