Cave No. 2

Cave No. 2

Cave No. 2, Badami, 6th Century CE

            In which chronological order these four caves were carved, we do not know. Cave No 3 is the only 'dated' cave we have. An inscription there gives its  date as 578 CE. But when and by whom Cave No. 2 was excavated,  we do not know.

           Compared to Ajanta, this Cave temple is a simple one. Cut into the rugged reddish sandstone cliff, it has no ornamental facade as do the Ajanta Caves. Perhaps the architect and the labour were trying to get used to the idea of chiselling through the solid rocks. Thus, Cave Nos.  1 and 2 are rather simple looking. 

          But the simplicity also hides the great achievements of the builders. The ancients did not have the advantages that we have today: no excavators, no earthmover, no explosives for blasting the rocks, no instruments for seeing the geological formations of the inside of the rocks. All the ancients had were chisels and hammers, a deep religious faith, a zeal for perfection, and sheer hard work. For years the faceless and voiceless labourer toiled at the site, hammering and chiselling the rocks, till over lifesize figures could be carved in all their divine beauty and grace. 

         These Cave temples are testimonies of our vision and endurance. They are  a living proof of the human spirit to tackle, to transform Nature from its chaos and rugged surface into order and beauty. They are source of eternal inspiration.