Loading
Cave Temples of India Buddhist, Hindu, Jain (2 Volumes Set)
Author
Prof Dulari Qureshi
Specifications
  • ISBN 13 : 9788180904097
  • year : 2023
  • language : English
  • binding : Hardbound
Description
The book titled, ‘The Cave Temples of India’, explores the rich world of excavated caves during ancient times. The story of these rock cave shelters begins around the 3rd cent B.C. from Bihar (the ancient political center of the country) and (Radiates around in all directions including the north, south, east, and west). Most of them were once enshrouded inside dense forests and discovered and described by the adventurous Britishers and the Indian archeologist and scholars or sometimes even the military officers. Generally, the total number of such rock dens is stated to be 2000, out of which 1200 were unearthed in Western Indian Ghats. The nature of the famous Sahyadri rocks is basalt or trap rock which is most suitable for excavation. Though the number of caves has increased since then, they still need to be included in this book but due to their inaccessibility are still not reachable. These caves as the book explains have been carved out primarily for religious purposes that focus on edifying and influencing the public to Buddhism. For an effective impact, the sacred world of Buddhist Gods (mainly Lord Buddha) and other divinities have been carved. These images are not merely imposing and majestic but also present a strong spiritual atmosphere enriched by semi-divinities like Apsaras, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Yakshinis, Salabhanjikas, etc. The ‘Cave Temples of India’ has included and discussed the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain Cave temples. The Hindu Cave temples especially Elephanta and Ellora where Lord Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma can be witnessed in their highest glory are surrounded by several semi-divinities like the Asiatic-dikphalas, saptamatrikas, ganas, etc. The principal images in Jain Caves are Lord Mahavita, Parsvanath, and Bahubali and the secondary divinities include Matanga and Siddhayki Devi. Besides the sculptures, the book explains in minute detail the structural decorations of pillars, pillars that are intricately ornamented as well as the large spacious halls that have so perfectly and mathematically spaced pillars. The pillars are ornamented with birds, animals, creepers, and floral and geometrical designs. The book, ‘The Cave Temples of India’ also digs into the architectural details, the gradual evolution of the façade, entrance from plain and simple to highly ostentation and decorative spaces. The later halls have become more complicated and added ante-chamber, sub-shrines, porticoes, and porches. Cave Temples of India are the greatest contribution of our forefathers to this country and are unique and exclusive. The grandeur of these caves must be witnessed to be believed. This book is a must-read for scholars, historians, and serious students of art.