Discover the Kailasa Temple in Ellora, a breathtaking rock-cut marvel dedicated to Lord Shiva. Learn its history, architecture, location, best time to visit, and travel tips.
About Kailasa Temple
There are some places that don’t just impress you—they stay with you. The Kailasa Temple in Ellora is one of those places for me. I still remember the moment I walked through the entrance and saw it opening up in front of me… this massive, silent creation carved out of a mountain. For a few seconds, I just stood there, unable to speak. It doesn’t feel like something humans made. It feels like something revealed, patiently carved from earth and time itself.
People talk about great monuments, about architectural wonders, about masterpieces of history. But Kailasa Temple isn’t just something you see. It’s something you feel. The coolness of the stone, the quiet echo of footsteps, the sense that the walls are whispering stories older than memory.
A Temple Carved from a Mountain
The Kailasa Temple is part of the Ellora Caves, just outside Aurangabad in Maharashtra. It was carved—not built—from a single mountain. That still amazes me, even after knowing it.
Most temples are constructed stone by stone, block by block. But here, ancient craftsmen began at the top of the mountain and chipped their way downward. Why did they choose the hardest way possible? Devotion. That’s the only answer that feels right.
They removed roughly 200,000 tons of rock. Eighteen years of continuous carving, thousands of artisans working with hammers, chisels, and faith. No modern machines. No shortcuts. Just patience and astonishing skill
But once you stand there, names don’t matter anymore.
The Stories in Stone
Inside the temple, there are carvings everywhere. Not just decorations—stories.
Scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, carved like someone froze a moment in time. Gods, warriors, animals, musicians, dancers. Every pillar has something to say. Sometimes I found myself tracing shapes gently with my fingertips, trying to feel the emotions hidden there.
Search for kailasa temple images online and you’ll find thousands. But the real magic? That is in the silence between those stone walls.
Standing There Feels Like Stepping into Another Time
Let me tell you what I personally felt:
When I walked into the courtyard, sunlight was falling softly across the stone, and there was this quiet wind moving through. And everything felt… still. Not empty, not abandoned. Just calm. Like the place was breathing slowly.
The Nandi Mandapa stands facing the inner shrine, the bull watching over its god. The alignment is so perfect that it almost feels intentional in a cosmic sense—not just architectural.
And the sound inside the pillared halls changes when you speak. It becomes deep, echoing, almost like the temple wants your voice to join its old stories.
I didn’t want to rush. I just walked slowly, deliberately, as if my footsteps would disturb something sacred.
Location
Location: Ellora Caves, near Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Cave Number: 16
The Kailasa Temple architecture is so vast that you simply cannot take it in with one glance. Your eyes keep moving—up the pillars, across the halls, towards the open sky above.
Highlights You Should Not Miss
Don’t miss the Nandi Mandapa facing the main shrine — the alignment is so perfect, it feels intentional and sacred. Look closely at the stone bridge connecting the pavilion to the temple, carved from the same mountain.
At the base, the stone elephants look as if they are carrying the entire structure on their backs. And take a slow walk through the pillared halls — the silence and carvings there feel ancient, powerful, and almost alive.
Ellora Kailasa Temple – Pride of the ₹20 Note
The Ellora Kailasa Temple, shown on India’s ₹20 note, stands as a masterpiece of ancient Indian architecture. Built in the 8th century by King Krishna I, this temple was carved from a single rock, starting from the top and moving downward.
How to Reach Kailasa Temple
By Air
Nearest Airport: Aurangabad (Chikkalthana Airport) — approx. 35 km
Taxis are easily available; the drive is comfortable.
By Train
Nearest Major Station: Aurangabad Railway Station — approx. 30 km
You’ll find autos, cabs, and buses waiting outside.
By Road / Bus
Frequent government and private buses run from Aurangabad to Ellora.
If you’re driving yourself, the road is smooth and scenic.
Things to Do Nearby
- Explore all 34 caves of the Ellora Cave complex
- Visit Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple (10 minutes away)
- Stop at Daulatabad Fort on the way back
- Try a simple Maharashtrian thali in Aurangabad city—comforting, homely food
Practical Travel Tips (Helpful, Real, Experience-Based)
- Wear comfortable footwear. There’s a lot of walking, and some surfaces are uneven.
- Carry water. You’ll need it, especially in warm months.
- Don’t rush through. This is not a place to “cover”. It’s a place to feel.
- Avoid touching carvings—they are ancient and delicate.
- Mornings are quieter. Golden light makes everything look dreamlike.
- If you’re traveling with kids or elderly people, take breaks in the shaded areas.
Conclusion
The Kailasa Temple is not just an attraction. It is a moment where time stands still. It’s patience in stone. It is devotion carved into rock. And it changes something inside you, quietly, gently.
If you ever find yourself anywhere near Aurangabad, please go. Don’t think twice.
And if you’ve already been—tell me what stayed with you the most.
If you’re planning to go—I’d love to help you with your itinerary or stay options.
Sometimes, travel isn’t about the place.
It’s about what the place does to your heart.
This one… stays.
If you wish to see old shiva linga then do checkout out blog on Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Hampi
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