Kailasa Temple, Ellora, Hindu temple in Aurangabad, India
Kailasa Temple is a monumental Hindu sanctuary in Aurangabad, entirely chiseled from a single rock formation without any added blocks or joints. Detailed carvings and sculptures cover every surface, decorating walls, pillars, niches and ceilings, giving the entire structure an almost delicate appearance despite its size.
Construction began around 773 under the Rashtrakuta dynasty, with workers removing roughly 200,000 tons of rock over about 18 years. The project served as a statement of royal power and was never repeated, as later rulers favored different techniques.
The temple walls display numerous relief panels depicting scenes from Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, along with images of deities and celestial beings. Pilgrims and visitors often pause before these carvings to discuss the stories they recognize or are discovering for the first time.
Visitors should plan at least three hours to explore the complex properly and bring comfortable walking shoes for the stone pathways. On hot days, an early morning visit is recommended before the sun becomes too strong.
The construction method proceeded from top to bottom, with stonemasons removing rock layer by layer to reveal the entire temple structure. They worked without scaffolding or support frameworks, as the surrounding rock remained solid and was cleared away later.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
