Talk:Cavetemples

Cave Temples Artificial caves excavated for religious purposes date from the time of Aśoka. Three phases of development of rock-cut architecture are listed by Indologists: the first phase from the 2nd cent. B.C. to the 2nd cent. A.D.; the second phase from the 5th to the 7th cent. A.D.; the third phase from the 7th to the 10th cent. A.D.

The two caves of Barabar Hill near Gayā in Bihar, dedicated by Aśoka to the Ājīvika monks, the cave at Karli and some Buddhist caves at Ajanta (both in Maharashtra), as also the Jaina caves at Udayagiri and Khaṇḍagiri (Orissa) belong to the first phase. Many caves at Ellora (Maharashtra) come under the second phase. The Hindu and Jaina temples at Ellora, Elephanta and Salsette islands near Mumbai (all in Maharashtra) belong to the third phase. Out of about 1200 rock-cut caves discovered (in India), nearly 900 are Buddhist, 200 are Jaina and the rest Hindu. Of the Buddhist caves, those at Ajanta, Ellora, Karli and Nasik (all in Maharashtra) are celebrated. Among the Jaina caves, those at Ellora are note¬worthy. The Hindu rock-cut temples at Ellora, Elephanta and Bādāmi (in Karnataka) are equally famous. The Rathas of Mahābalipuram (Tamil Nadu) and the temple of Kailāsanātha at Ellora, though not cave temples, come under the general group of rock-cut temples and are unrivalled. The cave temples of the early phase, all Buddhist, generally have caitya halls and a stupa in them. They are vaulted rectangular halls with an apsidal and containing a stupa. Among them there are also vihāras or Buddhist monasteries with not only living rooms but also a shrine-cell with an image of the Buddha cut out of the rock in the rear wall. The Hindu cave temples generally exhibit the same plan and pattern, and elements of architecture which were well- developed in later years in the regular temples built above the ground.