Rock-cut architecture is the creation of structures, buildings, and sculptures by excavating solid rock where it naturally occurs. The three main uses of rock-cut architecture were temples tombs, and cave dwellings. The Oldest rock-cut architecture is the Barabar caves, Bihar built around 3rd Century BC.
Rock-cut architecture was suited India since the country had plenty of rocky Mountains, and structures excavated in stone were the ones which were most durable.
The earliest rock-cut caves are attributed to Ashoka and his grandson Dasaratha.
The early Buddhist architecture covers the period from the 2nd century BC to the 2nd century AD. The excavations belonging to this period mostly consists of- the chaitya, viharas. They were mostly constructed of wood. Examples of the early Buddhist architecture can still be seen at Karla, Kanheri, Nasik, Bhaja and Bedsa and at Ajanta.
Karla Caves
The second phase of rock-cut architecture began in the 5th century AD. This phase was characterized by the elimination of timber and by the introduction of the image of the Buddha as a dominant feature of the architectural design. Viharas underwent a slight change during this time, the inner cells inhabited by the monks alone, now housed the image of the Buddha as well.
Buddha in Kanheri caves
The next and perhaps the most dominant phase in the tradition in the rock-cut tradition happen to be Dravidian rock-cut style. The primary features of this style are mandapa and ratha. The mandapa is an open pavilion excavated out of a rock. It takes the form of a simple columned hall with two or more cells in the back wall. The ratha is a monolithic shrine carved out a single rock.
Mahishamardini Rock Cut Mandapa
Kanheri caves
- They are located near Mumbai
- They cover the period from 2nd to 9th century AD
- They belong to the Hinayana phase of Buddhist architecture
- However, additions were made when Mahayana Buddhism was gaining ground. Ex: 5th century image of Buddha
- It has around 100 caves.
Jogeshwari caves
- These caves are located within the island of Salsette
- They belong to the last stages of Mahayana Buddhism
- Brahmanical shrines are also found here
- They belong to the second half of the 8th century
Montpezir (Mandapeswar caves)
- It is also called as Mandapeswar caves. It is situated near Mumbai
- The caves are situated in Mount Poinsur, Borivali, a suburb of Mumbai.
- They are the only Brahmanical caves to be converted into a Christian shrine
- It has three caves which are dated to 8th century
Karla caves
- Karla caves are located on Banaghta hills near Mumbai
- It belongs to the Hinayana period of the Buddhist architecture
- The chaitya here is among the largest and the best preserved in the country
- The main cave called the Great Chaitya cave dates to 120 CE
Bhaja caves
- It is located near Pune
- They are believed to be excavated in 2nd century BC
- They belong to Hinayana Buddhism
- The carvings prove that tabla was used in India for at least 2300 years
Ellora caves
- Located in Maharashtra
- Feature Hindu, Buddhist and Jain monuments (600–1000 CE)
- Kailash temple is the largest monolithic rock excavation
- Cave 15 is Dashavatara cave
- Cave 10 is Vishvakarma cave
- Five Jain caves belong to Digambara sect
Ajanta caves
- 29 caves belonging to Buddhism
- Built between 200 BCE – 650 CE
- Patronage by Vakatakas
- Murals depict Jataka stories
Elephanta caves
- Located in Mumbai
- Belong to 8th century AD
- Famous Trimurti sculpture of Shiva
Udaygiri caves
- Located in Madhya Pradesh
- Associated with Gupta dynasty
- Famous Varaha relief of Vishnu
Perhaps no other empire has garnered appreciation for their contribution to rock-cut architecture as Pallavas.
The Pallavas ruled Southern India between 6th and 9th centuries AD with Kanchipuram as capital and introduced Dravidian style.
- Rock cut mandapas with lion-based pillars
- Varaha, Mahishamardini, Trimurti mandapas
- Krishna Mandapa – Govardhanadhari panel
- Transition from cave to monolithic to structural temples
Comparision of art form found at Ellora and Mahabalipuram
Stylistic Similarities
Mahabalipuram monuments are carved out of single stone, which is also the case in case of Ellora Kailash Temple.
The reliefs, sculptures and architecture depict the gods, goddesses found in Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Shaktism
The relief panels at both the monuments showcase stories of two major Hindu Epics -Ramayana and Mahabharata
e.g. The Relief panel of Arjuna’s Penance at Mahabalipuram and The relief panel of Ravana shaking Kailash at Ellora
Both have rock-cut and cave temples.
For instance in Ellora’s Cave 21, also called Rameshwar Lena is cave and rock cut temple.
Similarly in Mahabalipuram Varaha cave is cave temple and pancharathas are rock cut.
Gavaksha or Chandrashala a type of horseshoe arch is a common feature
eg. The Draupadi Ratha of Mahabalipuram and the cave 10 at Ellora both share the Gavaksha feature
The carvings of the Mahisasur-Vadh in Ellora is very similar to the Pallava style in Mahabalipuram
Crest Carving: – is a kind of rock carving from the outside is a dominant feature at Mahabalipuram. The same can be seen in the Kailashnath temple and Dasavatara Nandimandapa at Ellora
The barrel vaulted roof a special feature of the Bhima ratha in Mahabalipuram is also a feature at Ellora caves
Apart from the similarities some distinct features make each of these architectural treasures different from the other
Ellora caves have been carved out of the volcanic basaltic formation ,While those at Mahabalipuram are of granitic origin
Ellora architecture also comprises Jain temples and Buddhist chaitya halls
The style of figures at Mahabalipuram are more slender, less mobile, and colder in feeling
While Mahabalipuram showcases deductive carving, Ellora architecture is majorly on core carving techniques.
The cruciform plan of the Kailash temple at Ellora is not found in the Mahabalipuram architecture plan.
