Ellora Caves - Jain Caves

The Jain group of caves which mark the final phase at Ellora belong to the period between the 9th century to 11th century AD. Situated about a mile away from the Kailasa temple, these caves figure various saints of the religion. There are only four Jain caves and they were excavated under the patronage of the later Rashtrakuta rulers. Compared to the other caves at Ellora, the Jain caves are relatively small, but  present exceptionally detailed art work.

Cave 30
This is the first in the series of Jain caves known as Chota Kailasa as it is an unfinished version of the stupendous Hindu Kailasa Temple. Inside are images of Twenty-two seated Tirthankaras and Mahavira Jain on his Lion throne is enshrined in the sanctuary.

Cave 31
This is an extension of Cave 32.

Cave 32
Known as the Assembly Hall of Indra, it is the largest and finest of the Jain temples dedicated to Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara. The ground floor is plain, but the upstairs has intricate carvings. A simple gateway lead into an open court, with its sides adorned with lions, elephant friezes and there is a monolithic shrine of the Tirthankaras in the middle. The walls have carvings of elephants, lions and tirthankaras. A double-storeyed temple is excavated into the rear side of the court. On the lower level is an unfinished Mandapa comprising incomplete cells. The upper storey has a similar columned Mandapa which is more complete. With a sanctuary in the middle of its rear wall. Among the sculptures deserving special attention are Ambika, the mother goddess, with a child seated on her lap, a lion beneath and a spreading tree above. Other panels within the hall show Indra seated on the elephant,  Mahavir flanked by guardians of earlier tirthankaras. The ceiling is richly carved with a massive lotus at the centre is the finest examples of this craftsmanship in the Ellora caves. Paintings on the ceiling of the upper Mandapa show couples and maidens flying through the clouds.

Cave 33
Similar to the cave 32  also called Jagannatha Sabha. This cave has well preserved sculptures, five independent shrines, each with a columned Mandapa and a sanctuary built on two levels.

Cave 34
The last in the series of Jain caves. This cave has a small shrine-situated at the extreme northern end which depicts the image of the Tirthankaras. The shrine door is carved with figures of Matanga, the Jain God of properity and Sidhaika, the Jain Goddess of generosity on either side. A seated figure of Mahavira is housed in the centre of the shrine. These caves show the ingenuity and the astonishing perseverance of the artisans to carve out marvelous figures in the steep mountainsides.