This was a popular architectural style in Maharashtra's western region, especially in the early centuries of the common period.
The chaitya, or rock-cut cave temple, was the oldest form, and it is linked with Buddhist architectural locations.
A chaitya generally consisted of a huge room carved into the side of a hill, surrounded by artificial caves carved out of solid rock.
Featuring a Buddha figure at the far end and a glass above the entryway to let additional light in.
These caverns were dug and carved from the top down, eliminating the need for scaffolding.
The sides and central pillars were carved to seem like they were made of wood.
The chaitya shape was adopted in early Hindu architecture, although it was ultimately abandoned in favor of free-standing temples.
The caves of Ellora, especially the Kailasanatha temple (late 8th century), devoted to the deity Shiva in his guise as the Lord of Mount Kailas, are the most magnificent Hindu rock-cut temples.
The Kailasanatha temple was cut out of solid rock to appear like it was constructed of masonry.
Although the temples at Elephanta were completed later, this temple represented the pinnacle of the artificial cave as an architectural form.
After this time, the focus shifted to free-standing temples.
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