India Ellora Caves

“The next day was even more intriguing. Was I really there? Was I so blessed? The most dramatic of all was the Kailasa Temple, the “greatest excavated architectural wonder of the world.” Rock-cut, life-sized, three dimensional elephants greeted us on either side of the entrance of the Kailasa Temple, which was almost twice the area and height of the Athens Parthenon. Perhaps we should have flown over the wondrous monument dedicated to Lord Shiva first, as it was said to be visible even from space.”

“We really enjoyed exploring Cave 29 — it was quite large, dark and moody. Temple guards known as dwarpalas lined the walls. At the back, a flame flickered, illuminating floral offerings, while off to the side, the temple opened up to daylight, and Wally and I played along the narrow side of the structure.”

“Sculpture is my art form of choice and I couldn’t have been happier with this day’s exploration of the interior of the temple as well. The guardians of the four directions and the river goddesses appeared at the gateway to the complex. Durga greeted me on the right with Ganesha on the left in the passageway. On one of the panels, elephants were busy bathing Lakshmi, who was seated in a lotus pool.”