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Indian rock cut architecture is more various and in greater abundance than any place else in the world. Rock cut architecture is the practice of creating a a structure by carving it out solid rock. Rock that is not part of the structure is carved away until the only rock left is part of the structure. Rock-cut architecture is mostly religious in nature in India.^[1]

Contents 1 Early caves 2 Style transition 3 Cave temples examples 4 Notes 5 External links

[edit] Early caves

Although many Buddhist temples, monasteries and stupas had been destroyed, cave temples are very well preserved in contrast, being less visible and therefore less vulnerable. There are around 1200 cave temples still in existance , most of which are Buddhist.^[2] The earliest "caves" ( actually deep overhangs decorated with art) began in the neolithic perold (8000 BC) and continued in some caves into historic times.^[3]

The earliest examples of rock-cut architecture are Buddhist and Janist caves. The aesthetic nature of these religions led their followers to live in natural caves and grottos in the hillsides away from the cities, as in the Karla Caves in the Western Ghats which were build around the 3rd to the 2nd century B.C. The local stone masons with remarkable skill carved the rock to simulate wooden construction in every detail^[4]

[edit] Style transition

The Pancha Pandava ratha, are a stylistic anomaly that mark the point of transition between the earlier tradition of rock-carved cave temples and the later style freestanding stone structures. The Ratha tempes were carved in natural rock in the 7th century by the Pallava kings, the Ratha temples are an attempt to look like a free-standing stone construction.^[5]

Buddha - Ellora cave

Ajanta rock-cut temples

Badami Cave Temple

Elephanta Cave entrance

[edit] Cave temples examples

• Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple
• Kukke Subrahmanya Temple at Sabramanya
• Varaha Cave Temple
• Undavalli caves
• Badami Cave temple
• Pandavleni Caves
• Karla Caves
• Elephanta Caves

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Cultural India  : Indian Architecture : Ancient Architecture : Rock Cut Architecture. Cultursl India.net. Retrieved on 2006-10-16.
2. ^ Cave Temples Buddhist 2nd C BC-1st C BC, 5th C AD to 6. Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent. Retrieved on 2006-10-17.
3. ^ Prehistoric Rock Art. art-and-archaeology.com. Retrieved on 2006-10-17.
4. ^ Rock Cut Architecture. Retrieved on 2006-09-21.
5. ^ 'Ratha' Cave Temples (7th century). Retrieved on 2006-09-22.

[edit] External links

• Rock cut architecture of India
• Excavated interiors: from the 1st century BC
• Elephanta - Indian rock-cut architecture
• Rock Cut Architecture
• Indian Rock-Cut Architecture
• Indian Architecture
• Rock-cut Kailasanatha Temple - Ellora
• Art and Architecture under the Rashtrakutas