At
Ellora the huge Kailasa
Temple is hewn from a single solid rock. This was done to picture
"Kailasa", the heavenly mountain abode of the Hindu God Shiva. The
temple is placed on a high base, which was decorated with carved
elephants and
lions, which appear as though they are carrying the temple on their
backs. The temple is decorated with stories taken from the Hindu
mythology, carved into the stone walls.
Near
the Kailasa Temple,
the
rock caves are highly decorated with sculptures. These caves were used as Buddhist monasteries and prayer
halls. Every
available space in the caves, the walls, pillars, roofs are all full of
beautiful sculptures carved into them.
The
Ajanta caves are also
Buddhist Sanctuaries carved of granite
Cliffs on a 72 foot high ravine (stone) in the Wagurna River Valley.
There are
about 30 caves, excavated between 1st Century B.C and 7 Century A.D.
Though the
Ajanta Caves are also noted for their sculptures they are famous for
the
paintings done on the walls and ceilings. The techniques of these
paintings
were similar to fresco.