Question

Which religious traditions are represented by the caves at Ellora?

• A. Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism
• B. Hinduism and Islam only
• C. Buddhism and Christianity only
• D. Jainism and Sikhism only

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism

Ellora Cave Paintings Between the 8th and 10th centuries CE, a series of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain temples were carved directly into the living rock at Ellora, located about 100 kilometers from the Ajanta Caves in the Sahyadri ranges of Maharashtra. The site consists of 34 caves in total—17 Brahmanical, 12 Buddhist, and 5 Jain—reflecting the religious diversity of the time. These caves were developed over a period stretching from the 5th to the 11th centuries CE, with contributions from artisan guilds originating in Vidarbha, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Among the most remarkable structures at Ellora is the Kailashnath Temple, an awe-inspiring monolithic temple carved from a single rock. Though it appears to be a free-standing structure, it is actually hewn entirely from the rock face. Traces of ancient paintings can still be seen on its ceilings, in various sections of the temple. This architectural marvel was constructed under the patronage of Rashtrakuta king Krishna I and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.