Describe the main features of early temples. How did the chief sculpture of Kailash Temple at Ellora expressed his amazement after its completion?
In the early period, the central points of development in the temple sculpture were as under:
(i) The temples come into existence almost at the same time when the stupas were developed at Sanchi.
(ii) The early temples were in the form of a small square room which was called the Garbhagriha. It had as single door way through which the worshippers entered the temple to worship the images of gods or goddesses.
(iii) A tall structure was gradually built over the central shrine. It was called as Shikhara.
(iv) The walls of the temples were often decorated with beautiful sculptures.
(v) Some of these temples were hollowed out of huge rocks, they looked like artificial caves. In the 8th century, the temple of Kailashnatha was the culminated form of such temples. It was developed by cutting the whole hill.
it is said that when the chif sculptorfinished sculpting the temple said 'Oh how did I make it!'
