Ellora Caves - Hindu Caves

The Hindu excavations (Caves 13 to 29) overlap in time with the latter part of the Buddhist phase, showing the climate of tolerance and mutual respect between the faiths of the time. Hindu excavations are mostly Shaivite and are located centrally between the Buddhist and Jain caves.

Cave 13
Cave 13 is the first in the series of Hindu caves at Ellora which lies in the centre of the group. It is a small plain room.

Cave 14 (Ravan Ki Khai)
This cave is a Buddhist vihara which consists of a verandah, a square hall and a small sanctuary surrounded by a passageway, but there are figures of various members of the Hindu Pantheon. River goddesses and large guardians stand at the doorway. A broken image of Durga is seen inside. Figures carved on the side walls include Lakshmi bathed by elephants, Vishnu as Varaha the boar, Seated Vishnu with Shri and Bhudevi and Vishnu with single

consort; Durga defeating the buffalo demon, Shiva and Parvati playing chess, Siva dancing the Tandava, Ravana attempting to shake Mount Kailasa and Shiva spearing Andhaka. 

Cave 15 (Dasavatara)
Cave 15 locally known as "Dasavatara" (Ten incarnations of Vishnu) is truly one of the finest caves at Ellora. Dated to the period of the Rashtrakuta king, Dantidurga, this cave mainly depicts Lord Shiva in various forms. Begun as a Buddhist monastery it was later converted to a Shiva temple in the 8th century. The temple with a large courtyard is reached by a flight of steps. River goddess flank the entrance. Buddha sculptures can be seen on the capitals of the first floor.

A richly carved mandapa stand in the open court and the figures on the friezes are those that are repeated throughout the temples of this group. Many familiar scenes involving Shiva are here, including a mesmerising Shiva Nataraja, and Shiva emerging from the Lingam to rescue Markandeya. Some of the sculptures worth mentioning are the marriage of Shiva and Parvati, Shiva and Parvati playing dice, spearing of Andhaka, Shiva receiving the river Ganga in his hair, Shiva's son Ganesha, figures of Parvati and musicians, and Lakshmi, Lakshmi bathed by elephants, Krishna raising the mount Govardhana, Several panels depict Vishnu - Resting on a five headed serpent, Vishnu is shown as the lion man or Narasimha destroying the demon Hiranyakashyap, Flying on Garuda, rescuing an elephant from a crocodile etc.