around the sixth century C.E. It is not known
which dynasty built the temple.
The temple is famous for a colossal sculpture of
Shiva with three heads, one each of Shiva, VISHNU,
and BRAHMA. This sculpture thus presents Shiva as
supreme among divinities and embodies the Hindu
Trimurti, or trinity. It has been said that this sculp-
ture with its serene aspect is the most beautiful piece
of religious architecture in all of India. The statue is
flanked by two other figures of Shiva as ARDHANAR-
ISHVARA and Shiva as the “bearer of the GANGES.”
The inner sanctum of the temple holds a
typical LINGAM. Also depicted are Shiva as cosmic
dancer and a depiction of the killing of the demon
ANDHAKA.
Further reading: Stella Kramrisch, “The Great Cave
Temple of Siva in Elephanta: Levels of Meaning and
Their Form,” in Discourses on Siva: Proceedings of a
Symposium on the Nature of Religious Imagery (Phila-
delphia: University of Pennsylvania, 1984), pp. 156–- Wendy Doniger O’Flaherty, George Berkson, and
Carmel Berkson, Elephanta, the Cave Temple of Shiva
(Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1983).
Ellora
Ellora in the state of Maharashtra is a rich
archaeological site containing caves, cave art,
and monolithic rock architecture dating from
the fifth to the eighth century C.E. Most of the
work is Hindu, but some is associated with Jains
(see JAINISM) and Buddhists. There are a total of
34 caves at Ellora. Some, cut out of solid rock,
were used as dwelling places for Buddhist or Jain
monks.A Hindu sculpture at Ellora Caves, c. 900, C.E., in Aurangabad, Maharastra (Constance A. Jones)Ellora 149 J