“Chota Kailasa” Jain Temple,

Cookie Guyton

Ellora cave 32, (ca. 9th century CE)

Ellora cave 32, “Chota Kailasa” is a rock-cut temple that was built during the 19th century.  Also known as Indra Sabha, the cave was named after one of the 64 deities who ruled the heavens (Indra) and also had influential intellect of the heavens.  Indra is a Vedic deity in Hinduism, a guardian deity in Buddhism, and the king of the highest heaven.  He is considered the king of the first Jain heaven, Saudharmakalpa, and the originator of the celestial assembly hall, which is considered to be a divine worshipping/preaching hall. The Ellora cave is a two story cave with a monolithic sarvatobhadra shrine.  

The second story is the largest part of the cave and the first story is unfinished.  The second story of the Ellora cave 32, has large panels that are sculptures with paintings on the ceiling.  In the court of the cave, there is an elephant standing in freely.  Throughout the cave there are detailed sculptures of elephants.  In some areas, the elephants are holding the cave, pillars, and sculptures on its back.  As if it is giving he whole temple support and blessings.   Elephants are a sacred symbol and also the most famous of animals in this region.  I believe that these elephants are were carved in order to symbolize an anthropomorphic figure called Ganesha.  Ganesha is a god with a human body, but has an elephant head for a head.  Ganesha is the god known for overcoming obstacles and adversity, and is considered a symbol of good luck and fortune.  Inside the cave in the temple there is a lotus flower on the ceiling which symbolizes purity, spiritual awakening, and prosperity.  This is a southern cave and in the center of the shrine. The temple is also dedicated to Yaksha (God) and Yakshini (goddess), the instructors of the Tirthankara. which you will find sitting on powerful and symbolic animals such as a lion or elephant. 

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Published by Cookie Guyton

Ms. Guyton is a full-time student at Huston-Tilloston University and is currently a junior. Cookie is from a small town called Elgin, Texas. She is an ambassador for Tom Ford at Dillard's in the Domain. Cookie is also a full-time fashion model who became published in 2018 and plans to use her spotlight to make a difference in the Criminal Justice System. She plans to become a Penologists and also wants to work with troubled youth. She has always had a passion to help others and to change the world. One day she hopes to attend law school and become a judge one day in the court of law.

2 Comments

  1. This blog was extremely informative and fun to read. Its interesting to learn about cultures and how they revere certain animals and the symbolism between them and their religion. Great job Cookie.

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  2. This was so good! It is amazing how as a viewer I can see this and not know any of the history or importance behind this Jain temple. The fact that you inform us viewers that the second floor is incomplete really gives such a different feel when looking at this temple, especially at the given angle. And giving the symbolism of the elephants really does makes viewing this work all the more special. I really enjoyed reading this and thank you so much for taking out the time to give us some insight on the Chota Kailasa Jain Temple.

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