| Title | Cave architecture style |
|---|---|
| Description | Cave architecture involves creating structures within natural or artificial caves, often for religious or residential purposes, showcasing adaptation to the environment and unique spatial qualities. |
| Tags | Cave Rock-cut Monastery Temple Chaitya Vihara Relief Excavation Religious Rock-cut architecture Cave temples Leni Guha Kutaka |
| Style ID | INHF-656174394-18-11-25-CC |
| URI | https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/styles/cave-architecture-style |
| API Endpoint | https://inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/styles/cave-architecture-style |
| Total Sites | 6 |
| Primary Sites | 0 |
| Created | November 19, 2025 |
| Last Updated | November 19, 2025 |
| Regions | Maharashtra Andhra Pradesh Tamil Nadu Karnataka Afghanistan (Bamiyan) Bihar Madhya Pradesh Across India and Central Asia |
|---|
| Time Periods | 2nd century BCE - 10th century CE 3rd century BCE - 12th century CE 2nd Century BCE 10th Century CE Ancient times to present |
|---|---|
| Dynasties | Maurya Satavahana Gupta Chalukya Rashtrakuta Mauryan Empire Gupta Empire Vakataka Dynasty Pallava Pandya |
| Sacred Contexts | Buddhist caves Hindu caves Jain caves Buddhist monasteries Hindu temples Jain shrines Buddhist Monastery Hindu Temple Jain Shrine Religious sanctuaries Monasteries Meditation spaces Buddhist Chaityas and Viharas Hindu rock-cut temples Jain rock-cut temples |
|---|---|
| Associated Deities | Buddha Bodhisattvas Hindu deities Jain Tirthankaras Shiva Vishnu Mahavira Various, depending on religious context Devi |
| Primary Materials | Natural rock Stone Plaster Basalt Sandstone Granite Rock Laterite Earth Wood Limestone |
|---|---|
| Architectural Features | Cave entrances Pillared halls Sculpted facades Inner chambers Chaitya halls Viharas Relief carvings Sculptures Excavated spaces Pillars Mural paintings Chaitya hall Vihara Garbhagriha Rock-cut sculptures |
| Keywords | Cave Rock-cut Monastery Temple Chaitya Vihara Relief Excavation Religious Rock-cut architecture Cave temples Leni Guha Kutaka |
|---|
| Title | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Buddhist Cave Temples of India | Book | Study of Buddhist cave architecture in India. |
| The Cave Temples of India | book | Detailed account of cave architecture across India. |
| Hindu Caves of India | Book | Exploration of Hindu cave temples |
| Dictionary of Architecture and Construction | Book | General definition of cave architecture. |
| Indian Rock-Cut Architecture | book |
| Site Name | Status | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Bamiyan Valley Temples Monasteries Bamiyan Afghanistan | Secondary | 100% |
| Batu Caves Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple Selangor | Secondary | 100% |
| Kailasa Temple Ellora | Secondary | 100% |
| Kizil Caves Baicheng Xinjiang China | Secondary | 100% |
| Kumtura Caves Kuqa Xinjiang China | Secondary | 100% |
| Sri Subramaniar Temple Gunung Cheroh Ipoh Perak | Secondary | 100% |