DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2371#0453
431
CHAPTER V.
BRAHMANICAL CAVE-TEMPLES AT ELURA.
As before mentioned the Buddhist group occupies the southern
extremity of the crescent in which the caves of Elura are situated.
At a later age the northern horn was taken possession of by the
Jains, who excavated there a remarkable series of caves to be de-
scribed hereafter. But between these two, at an intermediate age,
the Brahmans excavated some 15 or 16 caves, rivalling those of their
predecessors in magnificence, and exceeding them in richness of deco-
ration. In their earlier caves the Brahmans copied to a certain
extent the arrangements of those belonging to the Buddhists, though
gradually emancipating themselves from their influence till the series
culminated in the Kailasa, which is not only the largest and most
magnificent Rock-cut temple in India, but the one in which its
authors most completely emancipated themselves from the influence
of Buddhist cave architecture.
The Brahmanical caves begin at a distance of about 40 yards north
of the Tin Thai, or last Buddhist cave, the first one being a large
perfectly plain room, of which the front has been destroyed by the
decay of the rock, and the floor is deep in earth. It may probably
have been a dharmasdla or rest-house for visitors. Close to this, and
to which it doubtless belonged, is the cave known as Ravan-ka Khai;
aiw next to it, but higher up in the rock, is the Das Avatara, between
nhich and the famous Kailasa the road passes up the hill to the
t0*n of Rozah.
^o the north of Kailasa is a deep ravine, and beyond it are four
-T hve caves not usually distinguished by separate names. Then
°Uow those known as Rameswara, Nilakanth, a small cave, Teli-ka
. ana, Kumbarwara, Janwasa, and the Milkmaid's cave. This last
5 near a high waterfall, at the north side of which is excavated
le Magnificent temple known as Sita's Nhani, or Dumar Lena, the
moJt northerly of the Brahmanical series.
, Unately the age of these caves can be ascertained within very
w limits from the style of their architecture and local pecu-
CHAPTER V.
BRAHMANICAL CAVE-TEMPLES AT ELURA.
As before mentioned the Buddhist group occupies the southern
extremity of the crescent in which the caves of Elura are situated.
At a later age the northern horn was taken possession of by the
Jains, who excavated there a remarkable series of caves to be de-
scribed hereafter. But between these two, at an intermediate age,
the Brahmans excavated some 15 or 16 caves, rivalling those of their
predecessors in magnificence, and exceeding them in richness of deco-
ration. In their earlier caves the Brahmans copied to a certain
extent the arrangements of those belonging to the Buddhists, though
gradually emancipating themselves from their influence till the series
culminated in the Kailasa, which is not only the largest and most
magnificent Rock-cut temple in India, but the one in which its
authors most completely emancipated themselves from the influence
of Buddhist cave architecture.
The Brahmanical caves begin at a distance of about 40 yards north
of the Tin Thai, or last Buddhist cave, the first one being a large
perfectly plain room, of which the front has been destroyed by the
decay of the rock, and the floor is deep in earth. It may probably
have been a dharmasdla or rest-house for visitors. Close to this, and
to which it doubtless belonged, is the cave known as Ravan-ka Khai;
aiw next to it, but higher up in the rock, is the Das Avatara, between
nhich and the famous Kailasa the road passes up the hill to the
t0*n of Rozah.
^o the north of Kailasa is a deep ravine, and beyond it are four
-T hve caves not usually distinguished by separate names. Then
°Uow those known as Rameswara, Nilakanth, a small cave, Teli-ka
. ana, Kumbarwara, Janwasa, and the Milkmaid's cave. This last
5 near a high waterfall, at the north side of which is excavated
le Magnificent temple known as Sita's Nhani, or Dumar Lena, the
moJt northerly of the Brahmanical series.
, Unately the age of these caves can be ascertained within very
w limits from the style of their architecture and local pecu-