Dhumar Lena - Cave 29 of Ellora

Ravananugriha-murti: Shiva and Parvati sitting on Mount Kailash while the Demon Ravana is shaking him.

This is a continuation of the story about Ellora caves, begun here.
Dhumar Lena, is said to be influenced by the pattern of caves at Elephanta near Bombay, but this cave is a finer and larger than that of Elephanta, which it resembles. It is certainly amongst the most imposing on the site and dates to the late sixth century.

 Even the first sight at an input in a cave illustrates the perfection to which the Hindus attained in cave architecture.

 Panel showing Andhakasura-vadha-murti of Shiva. He is represented as killing the demon Andhakasura. Shiva is standing in alidhasana and holds a spear with the demon at its end in his hand. It is said that every drop of Andhakasuras blood touching the ground would create another mighty demon.

Kalyanasundara-murti. A scene depicting Kalyanasundara - the wedding of Shiva and Parvati. The couple are often depicted performing the panigrahana ("accepting the hand") ritual of a Hindu wedding, where the groom accepts the bride by taking her right hand in his hand.

 Uma-Maheshvara playing dice. Shiva holds in one of his hands a serpent, with the third heholds the left hand of Parvati, with the fourth he is taking the dice from the hand of Parvati.

Sanctum sanctorum of the cave has four entrances and each have two guardians on either side. When you approach to it even among day noise you can enter it in inner silence. Probably so great things took place in these silent caves and so fine people filled with their spirit which shone in this temple can still be felt.

OM NAMAH SHIVAYA