The Elephanta caves are known for the huge three-faced icon of Mahadeva. The faces represent sadyojata, agora and tatpurusa which are the three forms of Shiva. Sculptures of sadashiva and nataraja are well sculpted reliefs. The rock-cut temple is similar to a huge sculpture. kalyanasundara, gangadhara, ravananugrahamurty and yogishvara are sculpted on the West and East sides of the Northern entrance. Some more sculptures built during the regime of the Rashtrakuta kings are found in the districts of Gulbarga, Bijapur, Dharwad and Raichur. A solitary Jaina basadi stands in a decaying condition in Malkhed the capital of the dynasty. The parameshvara temple at konnur and brahmeshvara temple at savadi have some sculpture. The walls of many of these temples have carved sculptures depicting incidents from mythology and epics. The icons have undergone subtle changes in body contours and ornamentation though they follow the models given by the Chalukyas of Badami. One of the main features of Rashtrakuta sculptures is the variety that these present to the beholder. The cave temples were etched out of single rocks and then given a proper shape. Besides the Buddhist themes there are Hindu motifs as well. Their sculpture bear testimony to India's religious unity. |