An Extraordinary Journey Through Ellora’s Kailasa Temple and Caves, Set Against the Backdrop of Maharashtra Day
Photography Exhibition by Neelesh Kale Scheduled from April 28 to May 3
PUNE: Art enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity to view photographs that shed light on various facets of the Kailasa Temple—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a globally renowned marvel of architecture—as well as the Jain and Buddhist caves located at Ellora (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar). This occasion marks the hosting of a photography exhibition featuring panoramic images captured by the Lalit Kala Akademi Award winner Neelesh Kale. Titled ‘Ellorama,’ this exhibition is scheduled to take place from Tuesday, April 28, to Sunday, May 3, at the Raja Ravi Varma Art Gallery on Ghole Road. Connoisseurs will be able to experience this exhibition daily between 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Please note that this exhibition is free and open to all.
The inauguration of the ‘Ellorama’ photography exhibition will be held on Tuesday, April 28, at 5:00 PM, at the hands of Dr. G.B. Deglurkar, a world-renowned iconologist and a leading expert on the Kailasa Temple, Prof. Medha Kulkarni, Member of Parliament, and Jayant B. Joshi, renowned artist. During the event, Dr. G.B. Deglurkar will interact with the audience. Additionally, as part of the exhibition’s accompanying programs, Indologist Dr. Rahul Deshpande will engage with the audience on Thursday, April 30, at 5:00 PM, delivering a talk titled ‘Exploring Ellora.’ Please note that both of these events are open and free on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis.
Providing further details regarding the photography exhibition, Neelesh Kale stated, “The Kailash Temple, carved by the Rashtrakutas, dates back to the period between 756 AD and 773 AD. These 34 caves are carved within an area spanning approximately two kilometers. Among them, Cave No. 16—the Kailasa Temple—is renowned globally as the largest monolithic temple (a temple carved from a single rock) in existence. The ‘Ellorama’ exhibition features photographs that shed light on the Ellora Caves—and specifically the Kailasa Temple—from a multitude of perspectives. This exhibition comprises a curated selection of photographs chosen from a vast collection captured using the techniques of ‘photogrammetry’. Furthermore, another highlight of this exhibition will be the inclusion of a precise 3D (three-dimensional) model created from these photographs using this advanced technology.”
Kale also expressed with confidence that, with the aid of 3D Vista and Cloud Compare technologies, visitors to the exhibition would gain comprehensive information—including where to begin their exploration of the caves, exactly what to observe at each stage, the specific features and unique attributes of the structures they view, and their precise dimensions (length, width, and height). Moreover, attendees will be treated to a ‘guided journey’—or a ‘virtual tour’—of this UNESCO World Heritage site during the event.