The Kailasha temple is the largest of the rock-cut Hindu temples at the Ellora Caves, Maharashtra, India.

A megalith carved from a rock cliff face, it is considered one of the most remarkable cave temples in the world because of its size, architecture and sculptural treatment, and "the climax of the rock-cut phase of Indian architecture".

The top of the superstructure over the sanctuary is 32.6 metres (107 feet) above the level of the court below, although the rock face slopes downwards from the rear of the temple to the front. It is made from a single rock.

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The Base of the temple called – “Pancha Karma” is the representation of “Pancha Bhutas” responsible for the built up of Universe and Life.

These 5 different layers are studded with iconographical elements representing the Pancha Bhutas.

As per Silpa Sastras, on this part of the temple “Gaja Thara/Gaja Patta” (Elephant Band) is always at the bottom and “Hamsa Thara/ Hamsa Patta” (Swan Band) on the top.

Gaja signifies “Bhumi” & Hamsa the “Akasa”.

The Simha Patta (Lion Band) & Asva Patta (Horse Band) - Simha & Asva represent the aspect of Surya both signifying “Agni”.

The Makara Patta (Allegator Band) represents the “Varuna”, also is the Vahana of Maa Ganga.

The Patra patta (Leaf Band) is the representation of “Anahata Chakra” which signifies “Vayu”.

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Doors to the main shrine

On the lintel above the doorway to the main shrine there is a carving of Shiva and Parvathi sitting on Nandi.
Above the lintel is the carving of Keerthimukha with Makaras on both sides.Dwarapalakas are placed on both sides of the door.

The temple houses a large “Linga” in its garbha gudi (sanctum sanctorum) and an equally large and extremely carved Nandi (bull) that sits in a room whose walls are made of small windows carved in stone.
Intricate carvings are made on the walls surrounding the main door to the shrine.

🙏 Location : Sri Sadashiva Temple, Nuggehalli, Karnataka, India

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Shantadurga Kunkallikarin temple, Fatorpa, Goa. This temple used to be in my village, Cuncolim. In the 1580s, Portuguese destroyed the temple. Local Hindus took the Murti away and established a new temple in Fatorpa, then a secluded jungle. The temple is community controlled.

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🚩Between Maharashtra to Rajasthan,one will come across such shilas with a hand marked prominently- a memoir of those women who chose Death by fire so even their dead bodies may never be defiled by Invaders. It is tradition to offer Sindoor to the kind of Jauhar shilas-✋

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Harsiddhi Mata Darshan 🙏

Ladol, Gujarat

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#Kalinga mardana Krishna, #HARANAHALLI. #Hassan district. #Hoysala. 13th CE. Photo credits #Thiru Srinivasachar Gopal.

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VEERABHADRA, NIJAGALLU, Nelamangala Taluk. Bengaluru-Tumkur Highway. Post-Vijayanagar, Wodeyar Times(?), 17th CE.(?)

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Nandeshwar mandir is located at a distance of 25km from Akola, Maharashtra in Lasur village of Daryapur taluka, Amravati district. This temple seems to be of Hemadpanthi style where rocks of different sizes are stuck in one another such that it holds the entire structure. This temple is त्रिदल meaning that it has three गाभारे (sanctum). सभामंडप(hall) of this temple is open and its termed as स्वर्गमंडप. This unique open roof structure can be seen in very very few places and it becomes one the prime reason to visit here. Anandeshwar temple is standing on 12 pillars. Beautiful and intricate carvings can be seen inside and outside the temple. Though it has less sculptures, the sculptures which are present, are really carved with minute details.

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The Bhimashankar Shiva Temple,nestled in dense forests in Maharashtra,

Bhimashankar is the sixth Jyotirling in the series of Dwadasha Jyotirlingas. The exterior walls of the sanctum depict scenes from the ancient Indian Epics, Ramayana, Krishna Leela, Shiv Leela & Dashavataras. Located about 100 km from Pune, in the village Bhorgiri in the ghat region of the Sahyadri range hills, the Temple was built in the 12th century.

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The Dwarkadhish temple, also known as the Jagat Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Krishna, who is worshiped here by the name Dwarkadhish, or 'King of Dwarka'.

The temple is located at Dwarka city of Gujarat, India, which is one of the destinations of Char Dham, a Hindu pilgrimage circuit. The main shrine of the five-storied building, supported by 72 pillars, is known as Jagat Mandir or Nija Mandir.

The temple is 2200 years old. The temple was enlarged in the 15th- 16th century.

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Yali is a creature seen in many South Indian temples, often sculpted onto the pillars.

Location - Hampi, Karnataka.

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