Kailasa Temple: Visit India’s Most Impressive Cave Temple

In the 8th century AD, a Rashtrakuta King ordered a rock-cut temple that celebrated Mt. Kailash—which Hindus believe is the Himalayan home of the deity Shiva—to be built in Maharashtra, India. Mt. Kailash was located in a remote corner of Tibet, so the Rashtrakuta ruler wanted to create an accessible pilgrimage spot for devotees of Shiva. In the 21st century, architects, artists, and historians still marvel at Kailasa Temple’s towering stature, intricate design, and striking beauty. Many travelers consider Kailasa Temple to be the most impressive cave temple in a grouping which is collectively known as the Ellora Caves.

A great deal of mystery still surrounds the construction of Kailasa Temple. Modern architects are unsure how ancient artisans were able to create such intricate sculptures, pillars, and panels out of a single slab of rock. Kailasa Temple was constructed from the top down using a unique style of vertical excavation. Historians believe that artisans worked the stone with chisels and hammers, but are not entirely sure because records that detail the construction of Kailasa Temple are scarce.

For a small fee, visitors can tour the grounds of Kailasa Temple. Travelers can explore an ornate courtyard that features towering pillars, sculptures of deities such as Shiva, and a likenesses of several animals. You can explore the interior of the temple. or hike a nearby trail for a magnificent bird’s-eye view of the structure.

Kailasa Temple is the 16th of 34 Ellora Caves. It is important to note that the Ellora Caves are not naturally occurring caves. The Ellora Caves are a series of rock-cut temples that were created by practitioners of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Kailasa Temple is the largest and most elaborate of the Ellora Caves, but all of the Ellora Caves are worth visiting. The best time to visit is during monsoon season—which is typically June-September—because some of the cave temples feature cascading waterfalls and small ponds filled with shimmering rainwater when precipitation is abundant.

Several tour companies offer packages that allow visitors to explore the Ellora Caves, and nearby Ajanta—which is also home to numerous stunning rock-cut temples. Travelers can opt for a single day package. or spend 2 or 3 days exploring the rock-cut temples.

Photographs of Kailasa Temple are certainly stunning, but the only way to truly appreciate the grandeur of India’s most majestic rock-cut temple is to admire the ancient craftsmanship up-close with your own eyes.