India MaharashtraEllora Cave No. 10

Ellora Cave No. 10

25CH+CV4, Ellora Cave Rd, Verul, Maharashtra 431102, India

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Piyush KabraPiyush Kabra

The Viswakarma cave is also known locally as the Sutar ki jhopdi owing to the construction style. It is still a splendid work with a large open court in front surrounded by a corridor. Its pillars is carved with various representations. The inner temple, consisting of central naïve and side aisles, measures 85 feet in length, 43 feet width and 34 feet height. The naïve is separated by the aisles by 28 octagonal pillars, 14 feet in height, with plain bracket capitals, while two more square ones just inside the entrance support the gallery above and cut off from the front aisle. The back of the naïve stands a huge stupa nearly 27 feet in height and 16 feet in diameter. It has simple circular base, hemispherical dome and a square capital. It has a large front piece nearly 17 feet in height attached to it, on which is a 11 feet colossal Buddha seated with his feet down, while on the arch over his head is carved the Bodhi Tree, with dwarfs on either side, typical to a Mahayana construction. The arched roof is carved in imitation of wooden ribs, each rising from behind a little Naga bust. The deep frieze above the pillars is divided into two belts, the lower and narrower carved with crowds of fat little ganas in all sitting positions. Needless to say that worshippers used to chant hymns and prayers in chaitya halls and the arched structure echoes nicely. It is said that if we visit this cave early in the morning, any loud voice will echo 3-4 times spanning around a minute. At the ends of the front corridor are two cells and two chapels with the usual Buddha figures. From the left end of the back corridor a stair ascends to the gallery above, which contains an outer one above the corridor and an inner one over the front aisle, separated by the two pillars that divide the lower portion of the great window into three lights. From the outer area, too, small chapels are entered, each containing sculpture of Buddha mythology, and where the very elaborate head-dresses of the females of the period may be studied. Over the chapel to the right of the window is a remarkable group of little fat figures, and the projecting frieze that crowns the façade is elaborately sculpted with pairs of figures in compartments. High up on each side are two small chapels, difficult to access.

Sushant KadamSushant Kadam

Ellora Cave No. 10 is one of the most beautiful and peaceful caves I have ever visited. It is a Buddhist cave and is also called the "Visvakarma Cave" or "Carpenter's Cave." As soon as I entered the cave, I felt calm and relaxed. The place is full of positive energy, and it feels like a perfect spot for meditation and peace. The first thing you notice is the big statue of Buddha sitting in the center of the cave. It is carved out of the rock and looks very grand and powerful. He is shown sitting in a teaching pose, which gives a strong feeling of wisdom and peace. The sound inside the cave is very special too. If you make a sound, it echoes in a beautiful way, almost like music. The ceiling of the cave is curved and looks like the wooden beams of a hall, even though it’s all carved from stone. The shape is like a chaitya (prayer hall), and it feels very spiritual inside. There are many small carvings along the walls that show scenes from the life of Buddha and other figures. The work is very detailed and shows how skilled the ancient artists were. What makes Cave No. 10 extra special is the peaceful silence inside. Even though many tourists visit Ellora, this cave somehow stays calm and quiet. You can sit there for some time, close your eyes, and feel completely at peace. The most magical thing happens only once a year—in the morning of March 10 or 11, the first sunrays enter the cave and fall directly on Buddha’s face. It is the most miraculous and breathtaking moment I have ever seen. For a few minutes, the whole cave lights up, and the Buddha looks like he is glowing with real light. It’s not just beautiful—it feels deeply spiritual. You can’t help but feel amazed at how ancient architects and artists planned it so perfectly without modern tools. It’s a true wonder of ancient Indian architecture and shows their deep knowledge of science, art, and spirituality.

Vikas SinghVikas Singh

Locally known as Visvakarma, this cave is the only chaitya hall at Ellora. On both sides of the front courtyard is a shrine. The shrine on the southern side has a seated Padmapani in its sanctum. The verandah beyond has a big cell on either side of the doorway. The cave also has sculptures of Tara and Avalokitesvara. The imposing apsidal chaitya hall has an elaborate stupn in the rear. A huge figure of Buddha in the praiantbapada posture with Bodhisattvas and vidyadharas is carved in front of the stupn. The pillars separating the nave from the side aisles are simple and octagonal in shape with floral decoration. The vaulted roof exhibits raga-supported ribs. Between the naga ends of the ribs and the tops of the pillars are two friezes. The upper frieze shows figures of Buddha in panels and the lower frieze shows ganas. Besides, the long bas-relief carved in three panels on the balustrade of the minstrel's gallery is especially noteworthy. The balcony is reached by a flight of stairs on the northern side of the verandah. The walls on this first floor have cells and niches containing figures of Avalokitesvara and Vajrapani. Here we also find the Buddhist creed inscribed in characters of eighth-ninth century. The centre of the wall has an opening over which is a trefoil-arch of exquisite beauty. Grouped on either side of the opening, the gandharvas and apsaras, are charming to behold, as are the crowning portions over the niches at either end of the gallery. Bodhisattva Padmapani, however the Bodhisattva of the southern niche remains unidentified. The southern niche has kudu and amalaka designs, the latter suggesting its affinity to temples of the northern style. The design on the northern niche has only kudu motifs. The frieze ofganas at the bottom of each of these is striking. The dancing figures and the mithunas on the parapet are noteworthy.

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Reviews of Ellora Cave No. 10

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5.0

Ellora Cave 10 (Top Pick)

Popularly known as “Viswakarma” (the celestial architect) and also as Sutar-ka-jhopra (Carpenter’s hut), this is the only chaitya (chapel) cave in the group. The local carpenters visit the cave frequently and worship Buddha as Viswakarma, the patron of their craft.

The cave is entered through a gate, cut into the natural rock, into a courtyard open to the sky, with cells to the right and left arranged in two storeys. The cells around the courtyard have...

5.0

Notable among the Buddhist caves is Cave 10, a chaitya worship hall called the 'Vishvakarma cave' (literally the cave of one who accomplishes everything, or the architect of the gods), built around 650 CE.It is also known as the "Carpenter's Cave", because the rock has been given a finish that has the appearance of wooden beams. Beyond its multi-storeyed entry is a cathedral-like stupa hall also known as chaitya-griha (prayer house). At the heart of this cave is a 15-foot statue of Buddha...

5.0

The inner temple, consisting of central naïve and side aisles, measures 85 feet in length, 43 feet width and 34 feet height. The naïve is separated by the aisles by 28 octagonal pillars, 14 feet in height, with plain bracket capitals, while two more square...