Wasn't the completion of Kailasha temple at Ellora a wonder? The construction activity lasted for 12 generations and it was more than an astounding continuity to keep the designs intact for such a long period. James Burgess and James Fergusson
in their monuments work 'Cave temples of India, 1880' notes on p.449 -'From motives we are only now beginning to understand, those who designed the Kailasa resolved to cut the Gordian knot, and instead of a temple which could in any sense be called a cave, determined on excavating what could only be designated as a rock-cut temple. With the exception of the Rathas at Mahavallipur (Mahabalipuram), perhaps the first of its class that had been executed in India.' There is no built mass in the temple; only the excavated rock by chiseling and shaping.
in their monuments work 'Cave temples of India, 1880' notes on p.449 -'From motives we are only now beginning to understand, those who designed the Kailasa resolved to cut the Gordian knot, and instead of a temple which could in any sense be called a cave, determined on excavating what could only be designated as a rock-cut temple. With the exception of the Rathas at Mahavallipur (Mahabalipuram), perhaps the first of its class that had been executed in India.' There is no built mass in the temple; only the excavated rock by chiseling and shaping.
I lay particular emphasis on 'completion' itself because a work of that gigantic proportions required immense resources and WILL to continue.
It took me two complete days before I could satisfy myself in watching, understanding and photographing the edifice, two years ago. Fortunately, I had my wonderful ultra wide angle lens and state of the art camera.
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