Kailasa Temple, Ellora (Cave 16)

कैलास लेणे, वेरूळ

Shiva

Verul, Ellora, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, Maharashtra · Shaiva tradition

UNESCO calls the Kailasa temple the largest monolithic temple and the culmination of rock-cut architecture in India.

The story begins: “The mountain in the temple's name is Kailasa, the home of Shiva, and the temple's most celebrated relief shows the moment Ravana, the king of Lanka, tried to move it.”

Read the story
Directions

At the gate

Getting there
Train: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) railway stationAir: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) Airport

Not yet confirmed: visiting hours, dress code, phone rules, entry for visitors of other faiths, walking distance. Ask at the temple office or enquiry counter — and if you know, tell us. hello@aalayakatha.com

Full visiting details

Sthala purana

The story of this place

Told in: The Ravananugraha episode as carved at Ellora, described by UNESCO and the MAP Academy

Ravana and the mountain that would not move

The mountain in the temple's name is Kailasa, the home of Shiva, and the temple's most celebrated relief shows the moment Ravana, the king of Lanka, tried to move it. UNESCO singles out the sculpture of Ravana attempting to lift Mount Kailasa as one of the temple's distinctions.

The panel is carved beneath the southern side of the main hall, the sabhamandapa, and it is worked almost in the round, so the figures stand free of the rock behind them. The MAP Academy describes the composition as a contrast of motion: Ravana's whirling effort below, balanced against the stillness of Shiva above.

The panel's name, the Ravananugrahamurti, means the image of the favour shown to Ravana. It frames the episode not as a punishment but as an occasion of Shiva's grace toward the one who challenged him.

Ravana appears elsewhere in the temple as a devotee rather than an assailant. In the ground-floor galleries he is shown sacrificing his own heads to Shiva — among the earliest known depictions of that episode, according to the MAP Academy.

The MAP Academy also records a political reading. The temple was cut for the Rashtrakuta kings, who had just overthrown their former overlords, the Chalukyas; a mountain that cannot be shaken, carved for a dynasty newly on top, may be an allegory of Rashtrakuta dominance.

So the relief explains the temple twice over. It shows the mountain the temple is named for, and it shows what its patrons may have wanted that mountain to say.

We have not yet traced the episode to its written source, the epic account of Ravana at Kailasa.

Where this account comes from

  • Government: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, "Ellora Caves", World Heritage List no. 243 (inscribed 1983) whc.unesco.org · seen 2026-10-09
  • Press: ThePrint, "Kailasanatha Temple's rock-cut glory even attracted Aurangzeb — Gopurams to Ravana sculptures" (excerpt from the MAP Academy Encyclopedia of Art), 1 October 2023 theprint.in · seen 2026-10-09

In one minute

Why Kailasa Temple, Ellora (Cave 16) matters

Each line says who it comes from and how settled it is. What the labels mean

  1. UNESCO calls the Kailasa temple the largest monolithic temple and the culmination of rock-cut architecture in India.

    Source for: UNESCO calls the Kailasa temple the largest monolithic temple and the culminatio
    • Government: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, "Ellora Caves", World Heritage List no. 243 (inscribed 1983) whc.unesco.org · seen 2026-10-09

  2. It was carved from the top down: a huge mass of rock was cut free of the hillside and then sculpted into a temple.

    2 sources for: It was carved from the top down: a huge mass of rock was cut free of the hillsid
    • Archaeological Survey of India: ASI Aurangabad Circle, "Ellora Caves" monument page — Cave 16 (Kailasa) and Cave 15 (Dashavatara) asiaurangabadcircle.com · seen 2026-10-09
    • Press: ThePrint, "Kailasanatha Temple's rock-cut glory even attracted Aurangzeb — Gopurams to Ravana sculptures" (excerpt from the MAP Academy Encyclopedia of Art), 1 October 2023 theprint.in · seen 2026-10-09

  3. The ASI attributes its excavation to the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I (c. 756–775).

    Source for: The ASI attributes its excavation to the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I (c. 756–775)
    • Archaeological Survey of India: ASI Aurangabad Circle, "Ellora Caves" monument page — Cave 16 (Kailasa) and Cave 15 (Dashavatara) asiaurangabadcircle.com · seen 2026-10-09

  4. Its relief of Ravana attempting to lift Mount Kailasa is singled out by UNESCO.

    2 sources for: Its relief of Ravana attempting to lift Mount Kailasa is singled out by UNESCO.
    • Government: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, "Ellora Caves", World Heritage List no. 243 (inscribed 1983) whc.unesco.org · seen 2026-10-09
    • Press: ThePrint, "Kailasanatha Temple's rock-cut glory even attracted Aurangzeb — Gopurams to Ravana sculptures" (excerpt from the MAP Academy Encyclopedia of Art), 1 October 2023 theprint.in · seen 2026-10-09

Shilpa

When you visit, look for…

Dravida

The ASI describes the style as generally Dravidian and the plan as panchayatana, with four subsidiary shrines. The MAP Academy suggests the design may derive from the Chalukya Lokeshvara (Virupaksha) temple at Pattadakal. Heights differ by reference point: the ASI gives the principal shrine as nearly 23 m above the plinth; the MAP Academy gives the temple as about 32 m high and 78 m long.

  • Gateway tower

    The entrance gateway and Gajalakshmi

    A two-storeyed rock-cut gateway. Facing you as you enter is a panel of Gajalakshmi, flanked by two colossal door-guardians.

    Where to stand: Just inside the gateway, facing the Gajalakshmi panel.

  • Sculpture

    Free-standing elephants and the elephant plinth

    Two free-standing elephants stand beside the gateway. The massive plinth of the temple is carved with elephants and lions.

    Where to stand: In the courtyard at ground level, beside the plinth.

  • Nandi pavilion

    The Nandi shrine and the rock bridges

    An intermediate Nandi shrine stands between the gateway and the main temple, joined to both by bridges of living rock. A bridge from the main hall to the southern cliff has collapsed.

    Where to stand: In the courtyard, looking up at the bridges at upper-storey level.

  • Sculpture

    Ramayana and Mahabharata friezes

    The south wall carries a Ramayana frieze and the north wall a Mahabharata frieze, including scenes not found in the classical versions. The upper south wall shows the abduction of Sita and the battle of Vali and Sugriva.

    Where to stand: Along the south and north sides of the plinth.

  • Sculpture

    Ravana shaking Kailasa

    The Ravananugrahamurti, carved almost in the round: Ravana's whirling effort below, Shiva still above.

    Where to stand: Beneath the south side of the sabhamandapa.

  • Tower over the sanctum

    The principal shrine and its paintings

    The main shrine, cut at first-floor level above a plinth of stacked mouldings, with a pillared hall, antechamber and sanctum. Look at the porch and front-hall ceilings for remnants of paintings from different periods; the outer lime plaster and ochre painting date from Ahilyabai Holkar's renovation in the 18th century.

    Where to stand: Inside the front mandapa, looking up.

    principal shrine height above the plinth (ASI: 'nearly 23 m'): 23 m
    • Archaeological Survey of India: ASI Aurangabad Circle, "Ellora Caves" monument page — Cave 16 (Kailasa) and Cave 15 (Dashavatara) asiaurangabadcircle.com · seen 2026-10-09

Yatra

Plan your visit

Darshan times

We could not confirm the opening times from the temple’s own notice, so we are not printing any. Please check with the temple office or the devasthanam before you travel.

Before you go

  • No dress code or entry rules have been confirmed for this temple yet. Traditional, modest clothing is always the safe choice; ask at the entrance.

Walking, steps and access

We have not yet confirmed how much walking or climbing is involved, or whether there is wheelchair access. If you are travelling with elders, ask at the temple office or the devasthanam enquiry counter before you set out.

Getting there

  • By air: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) AirportNot yet confirmed from a published source.
  • By train: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) railway stationNot yet confirmed from a published source.
  • By road: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad)Ellora is by road from the city; not yet confirmed from a published source.

Routes are general guidance and not yet checked against an official source.

PIN 431102 (not yet checked with India Post)

The order of darshan

No published source gives the order in which to visit the shrines here, so we have not invented one. Follow the queue and the temple staff.

Festivals

The temple’s festival calendar has not been sourced yet.

Itihasa

Through time

Two registers, kept apart on purpose: what the Puranas tell, and what the historical record shows. They answer different questions and we do not force them to agree.

In the Puranas and tradition

No events in this register have been sourced.

In the historical record

  1. c. 753

    Dantidurga's inscription in Cave 15

    A 14-line inscription in the neighbouring Cave 15 praises the Rashtrakuta king Dantidurga (Saka 675, c. 753) and Shiva, and records the Rashtrakuta genealogy. Ellora was briefly the Rashtrakuta capital, Elapura.

    Source for: Dantidurga's inscription in Cave 15
    • Archaeological Survey of India: ASI Aurangabad Circle, "Ellora Caves" monument page — Cave 16 (Kailasa) and Cave 15 (Dashavatara) asiaurangabadcircle.com · seen 2026-10-09

  2. c. 756–775

    Excavated under Krishna I

    The ASI attributes the excavation to Krishna I (c. 756–775). The MAP Academy places the work in about two decades of the late 8th century under Dantidurga and Krishna I, with halls and sculpture possibly added into the early 9th, and notes that the temple itself carries no inscription — the only possible references come from inscriptions of Rashtrakuta vassals.

    2 sources for: Excavated under Krishna I
    • Archaeological Survey of India: ASI Aurangabad Circle, "Ellora Caves" monument page — Cave 16 (Kailasa) and Cave 15 (Dashavatara) asiaurangabadcircle.com · seen 2026-10-09
    • Press: ThePrint, "Kailasanatha Temple's rock-cut glory even attracted Aurangzeb — Gopurams to Ravana sculptures" (excerpt from the MAP Academy Encyclopedia of Art), 1 October 2023 theprint.in · seen 2026-10-09

  3. c. 1700–1799

    Ahilyabai Holkar's renovation

    In the 18th century the exterior received lime plaster, a wash and ochre painting under Ahilyabai Holkar, who sponsored renovation and repainting.

    2 sources for: Ahilyabai Holkar's renovation
    • Archaeological Survey of India: ASI Aurangabad Circle, "Ellora Caves" monument page — Cave 16 (Kailasa) and Cave 15 (Dashavatara) asiaurangabadcircle.com · seen 2026-10-09
    • Press: ThePrint, "Kailasanatha Temple's rock-cut glory even attracted Aurangzeb — Gopurams to Ravana sculptures" (excerpt from the MAP Academy Encyclopedia of Art), 1 October 2023 theprint.in · seen 2026-10-09

  4. 1983

    Inscribed as a World Heritage Site

    The Ellora Caves are inscribed under criteria (i), (iii) and (vi).

    Source for: Inscribed as a World Heritage Site
    • Government: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, "Ellora Caves", World Heritage List no. 243 (inscribed 1983) whc.unesco.org · seen 2026-10-09

  5. Sultanate and Mughal visitors

    Bahmani and Nizam Shahi rulers visited with their courts, and the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb visited, according to the MAP Academy.

    Source for: Sultanate and Mughal visitors
    • Press: ThePrint, "Kailasanatha Temple's rock-cut glory even attracted Aurangzeb — Gopurams to Ravana sculptures" (excerpt from the MAP Academy Encyclopedia of Art), 1 October 2023 theprint.in · seen 2026-10-09

Around here

Worth the detour

  • Temple

    Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga

    One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, in Verul village near the caves.

  • Temple

    Dashavatara Cave (Cave 15)

    Carries the Dantidurga inscription recording the Rashtrakuta genealogy.

  • Monastery

    Buddhist and Jain caves of Ellora

    Part of the same World Heritage Site, whose caves span AD 600–1000.

Sources

Where this page comes from

  • Government: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, "Ellora Caves", World Heritage List no. 243 (inscribed 1983) whc.unesco.org · seen 2026-10-09
  • Archaeological Survey of India: ASI Aurangabad Circle, "Ellora Caves" monument page — Cave 16 (Kailasa) and Cave 15 (Dashavatara) asiaurangabadcircle.com · seen 2026-10-09
  • Press: ThePrint, "Kailasanatha Temple's rock-cut glory even attracted Aurangzeb — Gopurams to Ravana sculptures" (excerpt from the MAP Academy Encyclopedia of Art), 1 October 2023 theprint.in · seen 2026-10-09

Cite this page

Aalaya Katha Foundation, “Kailasa Temple, Ellora (Cave 16)”, Aalaya Katha, version last reviewed 2026-10-09. https://www.aalayakatha.com/temple/kailasa-ellora (accessed ).

Last reviewed 2026-10-09. How we label sources and confidence