Rock Temples
      
      
      There are many rock temples and rock-cut temples in India. Some of them 
      are mentioned here --
      
(1) Rock cut Temple at Pullayar Patti 
      
      
      On the way to Raameshwaram, there is a rock cut temple at Pullayar Patti. 
      Actually the Pullayar is carved in rock, and the temple was made of quality 
      rocks. Specifically to mention, it was one of the temples maintained with 
      extreme neatness.
      
(2) Raameshwaram Temple 
      
      It is a biggest irony, how the temple was built by the Setupati Raajaa of Raamnaad 
      bringing all the rocks, when even the railway bridge and road was not there.
      
(3) Rock Temples at Khajuraaho 
      
      One of the most famous rock-cut temples at Khajuraaho. Though the temples are 
      on top of a hill it was another wonder how so much rocks could be brought 
      there for so many temples.
      
(4) Kailaashnaath Temple at Elloraa 
      
      Danteedurgaa, the first of Raashtrakoot kings in southern India, seized power 
      over Chaalukya kings at Badaamee (south of the Rivar Krishnaa) in 752 AD. The 
      Raashtrakoot capital was established at Elloraa near the modern city of Aurangaabaad, 
      North of the River Godaavaree, where Danteedurgaa's successor Krishnaa I (reign, 
      756-775) subsidized the excavation of India's foremost rock temple, one of the 
      architectural wonders of the world - the 
      Kailaashnaath 
      Temple of Lord Shiv. This was carved out of a mountain of solid rock. The 
      genius of Indian stone carving has never been so brilliantly demonstrated. There 
      are many Buddhist, Jain and other Hindu caves at Elloraa, some quite beautiful, 
      but there is only one Kailaashnaath.
      
(5) Ajantaa Caves, in Aurangabad, Mahaaraashtra, 
      
      These caves contain 29 rock-cut cave monuments which date from the 2nd 
      century BC. The caves include paintings and sculptures considered to be 
      masterpieces of both Buddhist religious art as well as fresco which are 
      reminiscent of the Sigiriya paintings in Sri Lankaa. Since 1983, the 
      Ajanta caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage 
      
(6) Baatu Caves, in Kuala Lumpur, Malayesia 
      
      Batu Caves is a limestone hill that has a series of caves and cave 
      temples in the Gombak district, 8 miles (13 Kilometers) north of 
      Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It takes its name from the Sungai Baatu or 
      Baatu River,which flows past the hill. Baatu Caves is also the name 
      of the nearby village.
      
      
      These caves are one of the most popular Hindu shrines site outside 
      India, dedicated to Lord Murugan (Kaarttikeya). It is the focal 
      point of Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Malaysia. Rising almost 100 
      meters above the ground, the Baatu Caves Temple complex consists of 
      three main caves and a few smaller caves. The biggest, referred to 
      as Cathedral Cave or Temple Cave, has a very high ceiling and features 
      ornate Hindu shrines. To reach it, visitors must climb a steep flight 
      of 276 steps. At the base of the hill are two more cave temples, Art 
      Gallery Cave and Museum Cave, both of which are full of Hindu statues 
      and paintings. A 140 feet 42.7 metre) high statue of Lord Murugan was 
      unveiled in January 2006, having taken 3 years to construct. It is the 
      tallest Lord Murugan statue in the world.