Cave Architecture in Ancient India – Art & Culture Notes for APSC, UPSC & State Exams
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The cave architecture in India begun during the ancient time. These caves were used by Buddhist and Jain monks as places of worship and dwelling. In the beginning, the caves were unearthed in the western India.
Ajanta Caves
- Ajanta Caves are located in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra.
- It comprises about 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments
- Since 1983, the Ajanta Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- All three kinds of art sculpture, architecture, and paintings(mural paintings) are found here.
- Famous fresco paintings of Ajanta are dying princess, flying apsara and preaching Buddha
Ellora Cave
- Locally known as ‘Verul Leni’, is located in Maharashtra. The caves are carved forms part of the Sahyadri ranges of the Deccan.
- This is a rock-cut monastery by the Buddhist.
- It is famous for the largest monolithic excavation in the world – the great Kailasa.
- It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Elephanta Cave
- It is located on Elephanta Islands in Mumbai
- There is Trimurti of Shiva
- The caves are carved from solid basalt rock.
Sudama / Nyagodh Cave
- It is located in Barabar hills
- It represents the earliest example of rock-cut architecture in India
- It belongs to belong Maurya period
- The cave was dedicated by emperor Ashoka in 261 BC
Lomasa Rishi Cave
- It is located in Nagarjuni hills
- It represents the earliest example of rock-cut architecture in India. It belongs to belong Maurya period
- This cave was carved out of a gigantic rounded granite rock. It has an arch-like shape frontage copying the contemporary timber architecture
Bhaja Cave
- This is the oldest Deccan rock-cut cave dated on 2nd century BC.
- It is located in Maharashtra.
- It is famous for its decorative frontages
- It belongs to the Hinayana Buddhism sect
Karle cave
- Ancient India Buddhist early rock-cut architecture. It is located in Maharashtra
- Related with the Mahasaṃghika sect of Buddhism
- It has a great chaitya hall.
Pancha Pandava cave
- It is located in Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu
Cave temple of Mandagapattu
- Mandagapattu is built by Mahendravarman I
- It is a shrine which holds a significant position in the history of architecture of the Pallavas
- It is the oldest stone shrine in Tamil Nadu
Udayagiri and Kandhagiri caves of Odisha
- Earliest groups of Jain rock-cut shelters.
- The caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri called lena or leṇa in the inscriptions
- Hathigumpha and Ganeshagumpha are particularly well known due to art reserves of their sculptures and reliefs
- Khandagiri offers a fine view back over Bhubaneswar from its summit.
Mandapeshwar Caves
- It is located in on the banks of the Dahisar River in Borivali
- 8th Century rock-cut shrine dedicated to Shiva
- This is the only Brahmanical cave to be transformed into Christian cave
Junagadh Caves groups
- Located at Junagadh district in Gujarat
- Caves were engraved from Emperor Ashoka’s period up to 1st-4th century AD.
- These caves are three distinct sites of rooms carved out of stone to be used as monks’ quarters
Nashik Caves
- It is called as Pandavleni Caves/ Trirashmi Buddhist Caves
- Located near Nashik in Maharashtra
- It is a cluster of 24 caves carved between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE
- It is representing the Hinayana Buddhist caves