The technology of rock-cut architecture in India reached its peak after hundreds of years, starting with cave shelters. The earliest examples include simple Buddhist monastic cells from the 3rd century BCE, like the Barabar caves. These slowly developed into intricate cave structures, such as the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, with detailed carvings, sculptures, and paintings.

One such site is Ellora, and the latter is well represented in the 34 caves with Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments. Cave No. 16, also known as the Kailasa Temple, is one of the outstanding examples of rock cut architecture in India. Carved out of a single basalt rock, this temple is an architectural and artistic wonder, built in the 8th century by the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I.

The Kailasa temple is considered as the epitome of the rock-cut architecture due to its size, elaborate ornamentation, and architectural brilliance. It symbolizes Lord Shiva’s dwelling place, Mount Kailash, and features of sculptural, facade, and yard. The construction of the temple involved significant engineering to clear the site, which involved the moving of around 2,00,000 tons of rock, indicating the level of planning and precision.