Ellora: Kailasa Temple

In the words of the Lonely Planet India guide, Kailas temple is "one of the most audacious feats of architecture ever conceived" (732). The temple was begun in 760 AD by King Krishna I of the Rashtrakutra dynasty. 200,000 tons of rock were removed by 7000 laborers over 150 years to create this rock-cut extravagance, built as a representation of Shiva's home in the Himalayas, Mount Kailasa. The carvings are spectacular, many still vibrant after 1200 years.