Question

Form groups in the class to discuss the following: Imagine you have only hammers and iron chisels. How will you plan the carving of such a huge cave? What challenges might the hillside offer? And once you reach the nave, how will you manage to carve arched beams into its ceiling?

Answer 1

This is a group discussion activity. Planning such a cave would require:

• Surveying the Site: Choosing a suitable place with strong, stable rock and planning the design of the cave.
• Marking the Outline: Drawing the planned shape and boundaries of the cave on the rock surface.
• Systematic Removal: Removing the rock carefully in layers, usually working from the top towards the bottom.
• Challenges: Workers had to deal with hard rock, hidden cracks, and water seepage. Removing such a huge amount of rock would have required great effort, skill, and patience.
• Carving Arched Beams: The curved beams had to be measured and carved very carefully to achieve the desired shape. In classical temple architecture, the main pillared hall is known as a mandapa.