Various images of respected gods like Vishnu, Shiva, Krishna, the Sun God and goddess Durga were carved in sculptures. Their appearance & attributions also evolved in this period. The Khajuraho temples in Madhya Pradesh also house many images of deities of that period. And more importantly the medium used for sculptures in Hindu art was preferably the stone or hard rock. Similarly, other statues or relief of this period, which are now placed in various temples and museums are indicative of the various dimensions of early Hindu art and sculpture. It is said that in coming years from early years of art, the link between various art forms like dance, drama & literature became crucial for aesthetic expressionism. In coming years, art and sculpture witnessed a unique fusion, a kind of synthesis embodied in the
caves at Ajanta and Ellora and the temples of Central and South India.
Sculpturing art - The rock cut caves of Ajanta and Ellora are famous in India.
These are the first millennium AD rock cut caves & became the prime real estate sought after by all the monks in the region. The caves are not natural in its existences, but examples of man-made temples cut into a hillside. They were built by generations of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monks, who supposed to be lived, and worshiped in the caves. Both the places show carving out of elaborate statues, pillars, and meditation rooms. Amongst rock cut Architecture of India- the Ajanta caves, which were excavated and painted by Buddhist monks are very famous. The paintings at Ajanta are decorated with remarkable murals & regarded universally as the artistic treasures. And caves of Ellora are for the fact that it is the finest specimens of `cave - temple architecture`.
Not very earlier, it is in the 19th century that the Ajanta caves discovered. These are group of caves, lying deep within the series of Sahyadri hills & cut into the curved mountainside.
The carvings in the caves depict the story of Buddhism, spanning a period from 200 BC to 650 AD. There are total 29 caves at the Ajanta. All were built as secluded retreats of the Buddhist monks, who taught and performed rituals in the chaityas and viharas. It is concluded after research that with using simple tools like hammer and chisel, the monks had carved the impressive figures that helped in adorning the walls of these structures. Many of the caves were depicting stories from the Jatakas, which is a rich mine of tales of the several incarnations of the Buddha. Images of nymphs and princesses amongst others are also elaborately portrayed at inside of the caves. Above all, these paintings of Ajanta caves are one of the most valuable wealth of the art tradition of the world. These enshrine a sublime and compassionate view of towards life. The attitude that reflects from all sculptural paintings is of surrender to the harmony behind the creation and the recognition of a supernatural underlying divinity. The compassionate message of Ajanta caves related with Buddha & his life can be simply summarized as:
The Ellora caves were carved into the sides of a basaltic rock of the Charanadari hill in Deccan, at Aurangabad. It is situated in the tiny mountain village of Verul - known today as Ellora. It is said that it is the finest specimens of `cave - temple architecture`. Presence of elaborate facades and exquisitely adorned interiors adds in the artistic glory of it. These structures were carved during the 350 AD to 1000 AD. There are 34 caves at Ellora of which 12 are Buddhist, 17 Hindu and 5 Jain. Actually, the Ajanta & Ellora caves are nearby & created in almost same time, the chaityas and viharas of Ellora are architecturally and sculpturally different. When it is compared to the paintings and sculptures of Ajanta, the representations at Ellora are more earthly & even the minute details are also artistically carved in rock.
The Khajuraho, located in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India also shows the Hindu art in carving . The name Khajuraho is known to allover the world for its architecture of temples, and sculpture. Mainly the Khajuraho is famous for their erotic sculptures. The temples of glorious tradition of artistic values are the state`s most famous attraction. Total 85 temples were built in that period but unfortunately only 22 are able to survive today. The construction of the Khajuraho temple is an art of thousand-year old took a little over two centuries. The architectural style of these temples shows the high peak of the north Indian `nagara` style of temple. Out of 22,many temples are in splendid condition. Khajuraho is visited each year by tourists from all over the world. The sculptures of this world famous place include statues of various Hindu gods and goddesses, warriors, celestial dancers and animals, & also the couples in erotic poses. It seems that the underlying theme of these sculptures is based on the Hindu philosophy of Yoga and Bhoga i.e. physical pleasure. These two are considered as the paths of leading to the final liberation.
The island where Elephanta caves are located is known as Gharapuri also depict the Hindu art. It is the 7th century cave temple complex, famous for the rock cut sculptures of India. It is dark cave in a tiny island housing one of the most imposing examples of early The main cave known as Elephanta, is supported by massive pillars, with a square base having fluted shafts. And at the inner walls of the caves, various sculptures of the gods from the Hindu mythology appear in almost same sizes. The famous statue of Trimurti from Elephanta depicts the three aspects of Shiva as creator, preserver and destroyer. The head from the left is believed as the life-giving shakti of Shiva, Uma, while the head from the right shows him as Rudra or Bhairava, a fearful figure with hanging snakes in his hair & neck. And the central & most noteworthy face is the swarupa or true self of Shiva, who is calm & serene giving blessings with right hand (which is now broken).
With these, the temple of the Sun at Konark is magnificent in its construction, has been known for the supreme achievement of the architectural genius of Orissa. It is situated about twenty miles northeast of Puri in Orissa, is a result of the continuous development for centuries. The name of the place `Konark` is derived from Konarka, the presiding deity of the Sun Temple. In fact the word `Konarka` is a combination of two words, Kona means corner and Arka means sun, & together it means `the sun of the corner`.
The Konark temple is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God, and is considered as unique for its supremely gained in imaginative character.
The whole appearance of the temple is conceived of as a rath, giving the name `Temple on Wheels`. The rath is carved with twenty-four wheels in total. So, it can be the said as the depiction of the winged chariot of that time on which the Sun God rides. The base of the temple is formed with an immense terrace with twelve giant wheels, each one is around 10 feet high, on either side. Therefore, the temple is constructed on the raised platform & the actual temple building is erected in two conjoined parts. The masterpieces of Hindu art shows the presence of Hindu God and Goddessin its expressions.The carving with minute details and attributions of them can be said as the characteristic of the art.
