Ask AI: How was kialasa temple built

The Kailasa Temple is a remarkable and mysterious architectural marvel located in Ellora, Maharashtra, India. It is carved out of a single massive rock and dedicated to the Hindu god, Lord Shiva. Constructed around the 8th century CE during the reign of the Rashtrakuta dynasty, the temple is considered one of the most remarkable cave temples in India due to its size, intricate architecture, and the effort put into its construction. Here's a brief overview of how the Kailasa Temple was built: 1. Selection of the site: The temple was built within one of the 34 cave temples and monasteries that form the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ellora Caves. The location was carefully chosen for its strategic, cultural, and religious significance. 2. Vertical excavation: Unlike most traditional temples built by placing carved stones, Kailasa Temple was crafted through top-down vertical excavation. The craftsmen and artisans started by carving from the top of the rock, working downward and removing almost 200,000 to 400,000 tons of rock. 3. Detailed carving: As they carved further, the workers meticulously sculpted intricate details like decorative panels, colossal pillars, massive halls, shrines, and courtyards, all out of the single rock. 4. Architectural features: The temple has distinct features inspired by traditional temple architecture, such as the sanctum containing a large Shiva linga (symbol of Shiva) and an image of Nandi (Shiva's sacred bull) at the entrance. The temple also boasts intricately carved sculptures depicting stories of Hindu mythology, particularly from the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. 5. Paintings: Some sections of the temple were painted, although much of the original paint has worn off over the centuries. There is still a lot of mystery surrounding the Kailasa Temple's construction. The specific techniques used and how such a massive project was accomplished with the limited technology available at the time continue to fascinate scholars and tourists alike.