English: THE KAILASA TEMPLE is considered as one of the most remarkable cave temples in India due to its massive size(about 145 feet wide, 195 feet long and 100 feet high), striking proportions, elaborate workmanship, architectural content and sculptural ornamentation of Rock -Cut Architecture.

With its gigantic sculpted monolithic main shrine in the center, gopura, Dhwajastambhas and enclosure walls on both sides, the Kailasa temple is considered as the largest rock cut excavation structures of the world. The temple itself is a tall pyramid structure, reminiscent of South Indian Dravidian Architecture. The Main Shiva temple and Nandi Mandapa are each about 7 metres high, built on two floors. A rock bridge connects the Nandi mandapa to the porch of the temple. Two stone elephants and two giant ‘Dhwajastambhas’ (100 feet tall monolithic pillars, which were excavated by removing the rock around it) flank the entrance reflecting Rashtrakuta’s supremacy and power. This cave temple (Cave-16, Ellora) is one of the splendid achievements of Rashtrakuta architecture and was commissioned by Krishna-I (757–773) of the Rashtrakuta dynasty, who ruled from Manyakheta in the present day Karnataka state.

Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb tried to destroy this Kailasa temple. It is said that 1000 people were sent to destroy the temple in the year 1682. They worked for 3 years but they could break and disfigure/deface the sculptures only.