THE SECRETS OF KAILASH TEMPLE | TOUR OF KAILASH MANDIR, ELLORA DOCUMENTARY

Summary

The Kailash Temple, also known as Cave 16 of Ellora, is an astonishing monolithic structure dedicated to Shiva, built by the Rashtrakuta King Krishna I in the 8th century. It took 7000 laborers 18 years to carve it from hard basalt rock, symbolizing the Kailash mountain in the Himalayas. The temple's intricate symmetry and sculptures narrate the Hindu epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Despite Aurangzeb's attempts to destroy it in 1682, the temple stands as a testament to ancient Indian engineering and devotion to Shiva.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The Kailash Temple is believed to have been built by our ancestors, showcasing their exceptional knowledge of engineering and architecture.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Ashok Bedekarji was sought for insights into the temple's history and construction, revealing the temple's significance and the challenges faced in its creation.
• 🏔 Named 'Kailash' after the revered Mount Kailash in the Himalayas, the temple is dedicated to Shiva and was designed to replicate the mountain's architecture.
• 👑 The construction of the temple was initiated by Rashtrakuta King Krishna I in the 8th century and involved 7000 laborers and sculptors.
• 🔨 The temple is the world's largest monolithic structure, carved from a single rock, raising questions about the techniques and time required for its construction.
• ⚒️ The temple's construction process involved meticulous planning with no room for error, highlighting the precision of ancient engineering.
• 📚 The temple follows the ancient architectural science of Vastu-Shashtra and is noted for its complete symmetry and lack of mistakes.
• 👷‍♂️ The excavation of 2-5 lakh tons of hard basalt rock took 18 years, with an average of 20,000 tonnes of rock excavated annually.
• 💡 Innovative techniques such as mirrors and the laws of reflection were used to direct light deep inside the caves during construction due to the lack of electricity.
• 🎭 The temple's interior and exterior are adorned with sculptures depicting events from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, serving as a medium of knowledge transfer.
• 🛡️ Despite attempts by Aurangzeb to destroy the temple in 1682, its hard basalt construction made it nearly indestructible, preserving the temple's grandeur.
• 🙏 The temple, once a vibrant center of worship, now stands as a museum, but there is hope for its revival as a place of worship, echoing the chants of 'HAR HAR MAHADEV'.

Q & A

Who is credited with the construction of the Kailash Temple?

The Kailash Temple was constructed by the Rashtrakuta King Krishna I in the 8th century.

Why is the temple named 'Kailash'?

The temple is named 'Kailash' because it is dedicated to Shiva and is surrounded by hills, resembling the Kailash mountain in the Himalayas.

What makes the Kailash Temple unique in terms of its construction?

The Kailash Temple is unique as it is the world's largest monolithic structure, carved out of a single rock.

How many laborers and sculptors were involved in the construction of the temple?

7,000 laborers and sculptors were involved in building the Kailash Temple.

What architectural principles does the temple follow?

The temple follows the principles of Vastu-Shashtra, the ancient architectural science of India.

How was light directed deep inside the caves during construction, given the lack of electricity?

Mirrors and the laws of reflection were used to direct light deep inside the caves during the construction.

What materials were excavated during the construction of the temple?

Approximately 2-5 lakh hard basalt rock was excavated over 18 years, amounting to 20,000 tonnes of rock per year.

What historical events are depicted in the temple's sculptures?

The temple's sculptures depict events from the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Why were so many statues carved in the temple?

The statues were carved to serve as a medium to transfer knowledge and wisdom to future generations.

What attempts were made to destroy the Kailash Temple, and by whom?

Aurangzeb, the Mughal Emperor, sent 1,000 men in 1682 to destroy the temple over three years, but they failed due to the temple's construction on hard basalt rock.

What is the current status of the Kailash Temple?

Despite historical attempts at destruction, the Kailash Temple still stands and is now a museum, with hopes for its revival as a place of worship.