Phases of Cave Architecture- 1st to 3rd, Dravidian Cave Architecture & Kailasha Temple for NET, IAS, State-SET (KSET, WBSET, MPSET, etc.), GATE, CUET, Olympiads etc.
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Phases of Cave Architecture
- 3 definite phases
1st Phase or Earliest Phase-2nd B. C. To 2nd a. D
- Related exclusively to early budhhism
- Buddha was represented symbolically
- Major excavations-chaitya and vihar
- Practised in less permamnent materials like wood.
- Ex-karla, kanheri, Nasik, Bhaja, Bedsa caves.
2nd Phase-5th to 7th Century
- Elimination of timber
- Introduction of the image of the Buddha
- The plan of excavations-specially for chaitya remained the same as before.
- Vihar - some changes-housed the image of Budhha
3rd Phase-Or the Last Phase-7th to 10th Century
- The hindus and Jains extended the Buddhist architectural tradition
- With some modifications-suitable to their rituals
Dravidian Cave Architecture
- Dominant features
- The Mandapa-open pavallion excavated out of a rock-simple columned hall with two or more cells
- The Ratha-monolithic shrine carved out of a single rock
Kailasha Temple
- One of the grandest monolithic excavations in the world.
- A two storeyed gateway resembling a South Indian Gopuram opens to reveal a U shaped courtyard.
- The courtyard is edged by columned galleries three storeys high.
- The temple itself is a tall pyramidal structure reminiscent of a South Indian Dravidian temple.
- Most of the deities at the left of the entrance are Shaivaite (followers of Shiva) while on the right hand side the deities are Vaishnavaites (followers of Vishnu) .
- There are two Dhvajastambhas (pillars with the flagstaff) in the courtyard.
- The grand sculpture of Ravana attempting to lift Mount Kailasa, the abode of Lord Shiva, with his full might is a landmark in Indian art.
- The temple is a splendid achievement of Rashtrakuta Karnataka architecture.
- This project was started by Krishna I (757 – 773) of the Rashtrakuta dynasty
- Its builders modelled it on the lines of the Virupaksha Temple in Pattadakal.