Ancient Ellora Cave temples; Ravan Ki Khai (cave 14) and Dasavatara (cave 15) cave temples

Ellora Cave 14, Ravan Ki Khai

Today's post is in continuation to my earlier post on Ellora. Caves 14 and 15 of the Brahmanical group may not be as grand as cave 16, but they are beautiful and you can see some amazing sculptures and carvings in these caves.

Cave 14 is called Ravan ki Khai because of the sculpture of Ravana shaking Kailasa (this happens to be quite a popular theme in Ellora.). This cave seems to be dedicated to Shakti worship because there are a number of female deities in this cave temple. A panel on the wall has seven (could not get a good picture).

Cave 15 (Dasavatara cave ) is grand. It is called Dasavatara because of the various beautifully sculpted incarnations of Vishnu in this cave. There is a dance hall (Natya mandapa) right at the centre of the courtyard. The ground section of the cave does not have too many sculptures, but the upper level has quite a few sculptures. The first thing that you see in the upper level is Shiva’s chariot, a beautifully sculpted Nandi seated in the hall. This cave temple seems to be dedicated to Shiva.

Ravana shaking Kailasha

Panel with seven deities (good not get a good pic)

Upper level cave 14

Ellora, Cave 15

Nandi, Shiva's chariot

Carvings on the wall

Natya Mandapa

Sculptures on the Natya Mandapa