The Ellora Caves are located on an ancient trade route in Maharashtra, India. They consist of 34 monasteries and temples carved into the basalt cliff face and spread over 2 kilometers. Cave 13 is thought to be the first Hindu cave and consists of an incomplete large room. Cave 14 has 12 pillars and is fully decorated with sculptures on the walls and pillars, including depictions of Shiva, Vishnu, Durga and mythological scenes. The carvings indicate Cave 14 was originally dedicated to the goddess Durga.

1. ELLORA CAVES
CAVE NO.13 & 14
Siya Prabhudesai
17136
Goa College of Architecture

2. Ellora caves are a group of 34 monasteries and temples made at the ancient trade route
between the nearby Paihan and the important city of Ujjain. The entrances of these caves
are spread along the cliff face for a bit more than two km.
The first group of shrines were created by Buddhists of Mahayana branch. These are caves
numbered from 1 to 12 and were built in 630-700 AD.
The next group was created when the influence of Bhuddism vanned and Hindusiim
gradually became the mainstream religion. Local rulers were more supportive to Shaivism
(devoted to Shiva). Due to which Ellora got exquisite shrines devoted to Shiva. These caves
are numbered 13 to 29 and built in 550-780 AD.
Last group of shrines were crated in times when local rulers were more inclined towards
Jain religion, Digambara branch. Jain caves form a distinct group , numbered from 30-34.
Cave 13
Cave 13 seems to be the first Brahmanical excavation. It is located on the north of Buddhist
cave Teen Thal. It consists of a large room which is comparatively plain. The front of which
has been destroyed due to weathering of the rock. It also said to be an incomplete cave.
Many archaeologist’s thought that it was sitting room or place where tools were meant to
be kept.

3. Cave 14
Cave no. 14 is locally known as Ravan- kakhai.
The pillars of the front colonnade, are cement reconstructions. (except for the extreme left
and right one).
It has twelve pillars inside, the open hall, which is 54 feet by 55 feet 6 inches to the front of
the shrine. A wide pradakshina runs round the shrine, giving a total depth of 85 feet.
The pillars have high square bases and drooping-eared florid capitals, with circular necks of
varied patterns. The style of decoration is similar to that found in the latest caves at Ajanta,
belonging to the middle of the 7th century.

4. The pilasters are carved from the floor to the brackets, and resemble the pilasters that were
developed in the Brahmanical caves at the commencement of the following century. All the
compartments of the wall between the pilasters are filled with carving. The sculptures of the
cave are partly Saiva and partly Vaishnava
The south wall has the following Shaiva sculpture:
1) Mahishasuri killing the buffalo-demon.
2) Siva and Parvati have been depicted on a raised platform playing at chausar. Ganapati
and another attendant are shown waiting behind Siva with two females and a male behind
Parvati and Nandi.
3) Siva dancing the tandava over the destruction of the world, three figures with drums are
to his right.
4) Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, have been depicted under Kailasa, the heaven of Siva.
He is trying to carry the mount Kailasha.

5. 5) Bhairava the destructive form of Sivahave been depicted on one foot trampling a large fat
dwarf.
The pradakshina on this side has three skeletons. The first skeleton is of Kaal. He has been
depicted four-armed with a scorpion on his chest. The second is of Kali, the female
personification of death and a third is a kneeling skeleton. The next panel is of Ganapati who
has been depicted eating his favourite laddu. Beyond him, there are the seven divine
mothers equipped four-armed, and each with a child and a cognizance on the base below.
The walls of the cave are fully decorated with sculptures which gives a sense of sculptural
gallery. Following panels have been depicted on the north wall.
1)The first panel is of Bhavani or Durga in a four-armed sculpture. Her foot has been resting
on a tiger.

6. 2) In the next panel, sculpture of Lakshmi has been carved over a mass of lotuses.
3) The third panel has been decorated with the sculpture of Varaha, the boar-incarnation of
Vishnu.
4) Next panel depicts Vishnu with four-arms sitting between two female deities, probably
Lakshmi and Bhudevi.
5) The fifth panel enshrines Vishnu and Lakshmi both sitting on the same couch under an
ornamental arch.
The main shrine (garbhagriha) doorway is flanked by life-size women which take the
position of dvarpaalas.

7. Pitha - in main shrine
Since the socket of the pitha was not shaped to receive a lingam, and it seems certain that it
must once have held the fine broken image of the goddess. Which further says that the
temple was dedicated to Goddess Durga.

8. BIBLIOGRAPHY
https://elloracaves.org/caves.php?cmd=search&words=&cave_ID=14&plan_floor=1&image
_ID=
http://vmis.in/ArchiveCategories/collection_gallery_zoom?id=928&siteid=204&minrange=0
&maxrange=0&assetid=45430&self_archive_id=58002&index=8#focused_div
https://www.britannica.com/place/Ellora-Caves
https://www.speakingtree.in/blog/ellora---hindu-caves---13-15-441467