Cave No.10, Ellora Caves, Aurangabad • Nanchi’s Fun Facts Friday
Aurangabad, India, Maharashtra, Nanchi's Fun Facts Friday, Travel

Nanchi’s Fun Facts Friday! – Ellora Cave No.10, Vishwakarma Caves!

Cave No.10, Ellora Caves, Aurangabad • Nanchi’s Fun Facts Friday
Cave No.10, Ellora Caves, Aurangabad • Nanchi’s Fun Facts Friday

Did you know there are around 800 caves in Maharashtra? Some large, small and some concealed within the hills. As, I said earlier, I am fascinated by the history of caves and it makes me explore more and more. Today in Nanchi’s Fun Facts Friday, I will be sharing you the facts on Vishwakarma Cave, Cave no.10, Ellora Caves, Verul.

Ellora caves are quite popular and will write in detail about the destination some other time but today let’s start with the Vishwakarma Cave….

  • Vishwarkarma Cave is the Cave no. 10 of the most popular Ellora Caves, constructed in the 7th Century.
  • It is also known as ‘Sutar ki Jhopdi‘ or ‘Carpenter’s cave‘ owing to the finishing of the rock.
  • This cave is the only Chaitya Hall in the Ellora.  
  • The imposing apsidal Chaitya hall has an elaborate stupa in the rear.
  • A huge figure of Buddha in the Pralambapada posture with the Bodhisattvas and Vidyadharas is carved in the front of the stupas.
  • The interior has central nave and side aisles measuring 85 feet in length, 43 feet width and 34 feet height.The nave is separated by the aisles by 28 octagonal pillars, 14 feet in height.
  • The Vaulted roof is the imitation of wooden ribs (naga Ribs).
  • Between the naga ends of the ribs and the tops of the pillars are two friezes. The upper frieze shows Buddha figures in panels and the lower one shows ganas.
  • The balcony of the two storied cave can be reached by the stairs on the northern side of the verandah.
  • The walls on the first floor have cells and niches having figures of Avalokitesvara and Vajrapani.
  • There is Buddhist creed inscribed in characters of the 8th-9th century.
  • The dancing figures and the mithunas on the parapets are noteworthy.

    When visiting Ellora, Cave no.10 or the Vishwakarma cave is not to be missed.

16 thoughts on “Nanchi’s Fun Facts Friday! – Ellora Cave No.10, Vishwakarma Caves!”

  7. Your fun facts are always amazing. I have heard about this cave but unfortunately never travelled to see any.

    As usual the photography of yours I loved the most, except your photos. As they were missed.

    Good one, Nanchi.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much, Sumit for dropping by. You must visit Ellora Caves for once in a life-time experience. I am sure, you will like it.
      I am glad you liked the photographs. Haha. I will try to post more of my photos. Thank you once again!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  9. Ellora caves, especially the Kailash Temple is extremely mysterious. There are still innumerable questions even today regarding the construction of such caves and temples, despite the fact that these temples or caves have more or less been frequented across all the ages beginning with the commissioning of these structures.

    The temples or caves were carved out of Basalt, a common igneous rock in the Deccan Plateau and the Western Ghats region with quite hard and has a great compression strength (~38 Mega Pascals).

    It’s still highly taxing on the brain as to how the skilled engineers manage to achieve such feats with ordinary chisels and hammers.

    The architects and engineers though wanted to provide an architectural theme akin to a stupa made of wood. Hence the elaborate finishing and theme at the Carpenter’s cave might be a testimony to the same.

    Great post once again Madam. Loved this one..!! ❤ 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Hi Abir,

      Kailash Temple in Ellora Caves is totally mysterious. One can actually feel it. It is really extraordinary to built a structure like that with only chisels and hammers. I will write a detailed post about Ellora Caves in the future. By the time, thank you so much for the detailed information. I am always happy to read from you as it is an additional learning for me. I hope you are doing well….:)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I am good, thank you for asking.. 😊
        I hope you are safe and healthy as well..
        It’s a pleasure reading your posts and learning History from them.. 😊
        You are welcome and thank you back for sharing.. 😊😊

        Like

  10. Hi Madam..

    Wrote a new post on a new travel destination. I think you may have heard of it.
    Your expert reviews are awaited.. 😊😊 Hope that you won’t be disappointed..

    Like

    Reply
  11. Pingback: Nanchi’s Fun Facts Friday –Andhakasura Vadha, Cave no. 29, Ellora Caves! – Nanchi.blog

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