Ellora Caves

Ellora Caves in Maharashtra are really cool! They're like super old rock-cut temples from a long time ago, and they have carvings of Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist stuff. The Kailasa Temple is huge and amazing. It's a must-visit if you're into history and cool architecture!

The Ellora Caves are an absolute must-visit for anyone interested in history, art, religion, or simply marveling at human achievement. They offer a unique and enriching experience, leaving you with a sense of wonder and appreciation for the past.
They are not just caves – they are a testament to human artistry, religious devotion, and sheer perseverance. Visiting them is like stepping back in time, immersing yourself in a world carved by ancient hands, whispering stories of gods, heroes, and everyday life.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Additional Tips:

The best time to visit is during the cooler months (October to February).
Photography is allowed, but flash is prohibited.
Respect the sanctity of the religious sites.

Must visit this place with your family and friends. It is very important to know our culture and history. I prefer wearing shoes and caps as there is lots of walking.
Washrooms are available. Almost a whole day is required to visit all the caves. Tour guides are also available there. Ample parking is also available. There are restaurants, shops for souvenirs, eatables, etc. Caves are at distance so there is a lot of walking. There are e-vehicles available at ₹30 per person who has a waiting list so it's time taking. Water bottles, drinking water taps are also available. You can carry eatables inside as well. There are small restaurants and souvenir shops outside the main entrance.

Good historical monument, maintained properly, caves are good there is facility of electric car for watching caves which are at long distance. It's really superb, do visit

Probably the best old age temple seen till date in Maharashtra. Beautiful carved downwards and you will find amazing structures and art work inside the temple. Absolutely worth it. Fine and peaceful place.

Start from the middle temple where all the scriptures of Hindu God can be seen. Then head towards the right for the best view, where you can see Buddhist status with an old school-like structure with a waterfall from the above. On the left again you can see the Hindu god statues. As usual go with family and enjoy the atmosphere, You must go in the winter or rainy season.

Glimpse of Review
> How to Reach
> Strategy to Cover the Caves
> Precautions
> Time Required
> Suitable Time
> Few words about the caves

Ellora Caves
> How to Reach

Ellora Caves is one of the heritage sites. It is near Aurangabad and very close to Ghrishneshwar Temple.
If you are coming from far, Your target should be to reach Aurangabad which is well connected through Air, Rail or Bus.
From Aurangabad, you can easily take a private cab or auto or MSRTC or even a two wheeler to reach the Ellora Caves (Verul)
Keep in mind Verul, as that is the known area name (Place) of Ellora or Ghrishneshwar Temple.
Any bus going from Aurangabad to Dhule will mostly pass from Verul (Ellora)

I will talk more about strategy to cover all the caves, so that you can explore the caves more in perfect manner.

> Strategy
Snapshot
✓ Start with Cave 16
✓ Finish 1-15 Caves First (Cave No. 10 is Important)
✓ Finish 17-34 (Cave No. 32 and 33 is Important)

E vehicle will be available there, I highly recommend to buy the tickets for that.

✓ If there is a long queue you can start straight away from Kailash Temple (Cave 16)
It has a Jaw-dropping monolithic work. You might need 1 to 2 hours to explore Cave No 16.

✓ After that either you can take e vehicle for other caves
But I will suggest to take Caves 1-15
In that 1-6 are almost same
You can find caves like today's apartment residence style
7-8 are unfinished caves which can give idea how they have excavated this mountain range
In 9-15 Cave no 10 is worth visiting.
Once you are don't with Cave No. 1-15

✓ Now you can opt for 2 Strategies for Cave No 17 to 34.

✓ Either take E Vehicle and reach to last Cave 34 and come back in reverse order to Cave 17
Or
✓ Take e Vehicle
Reach to Cave 17 and start exploring all caves by walking so that you don't have to waste time in waiting e-vehicle
Once you finish all 34 caves
Take the E- Vehicle and exit the Caves.

> Precautions
(Backpack, Water Bottle, Snacks, Antiskid Shoes, Camera)

Make sure to have water bottle as nothing will be available inside caves.
You can have snacks as well if you want.

> Total Time Required: 4 to 6 Hours

✓ Cave No. 16 (Kailash Temple) : 2-3 Hours
✓ Cave No. 1-15: 1-2 Hours
✓ Cave No. 17-34: 1-2 Hours

> Suitable Time

August to February will be the best period to visit this place.
I visited this place in August second and the weather was superb and a little cold as well.

> Few words about the caves

One suggestion from my side is that when you visit Ajanta Ellora Caves and if you have an ample amount of time and love to explore nature and Ancient History together
Start your journey with Pitalkhora Caves First.
There is a set of mostly unfinished Caves which actually gives a pretty good idea how ancient people have dug and designed such caves.Pitalkhora Caves (Unfinished Caves) (50 KM from Ellora Caves)
Secondly, visit Ellora Caves
And at last, Visit Ajanta Caves.
This will keep interest and momentum alive to visit all the caves.

Overall Ellora Caves is a must must visit place.
No matter what we write it will always be less hence
I will not say much about the beauty of the caves, for that you can refer to photos uploaded here.

The kailasa temple is magnificent. There are more than 16 caves but I would recommend visiting 16, 16A, 12 and 10 if you have not more than 3-4 hours to spend.

Also the waterfall near cave 2 if you are visiting in monsoon.

Have proper protection from sun if are visiting during summertime.

Only the main water facility near exit gate had filtration system working. Would not recommend drinking water from other places along the way.

We did not hire a guide and regret it. There's no app for audio tour guide available on app store or play store.

Amazing place. I am sure you will visit cave 16. Please visit rest of the caves as well. You need five hours minimum. Engage a guide, your visit will be meaningful

Cloak Room, Water, Toilet, Rest Rooms, Bus Pick up, Drop off stands, Bus connectivity, Restaurant Connectivity

There are 32 beautiful caves. Very tiring and interesting site it is. I don't want to disclose further. You must visit this place.

Stone carved beautiful architecture, which took almost 900 years to complete. Carvings commenced in the satavahana Dynasty this place has deities of North India(load Shiva), South india(lord Vishnu), budhism and Jainism. There are more than 130 carves but ASI recognises only 100. If you are here don't forget to visit the cave no 29 the most astonishing cave and sort of some gathering hall. And the most significant temple is the Kailasa temple which is printed on 20 rs promissory note of India and it's at the entrance of the heritage site.

This is one of the best ancient gallery for world. The experience over here is good. One can spend 4-5 hours easily visiting all the caves. Explorer might take more time as it is vast to know in depth. Place is kept very neat and clean. However public should not litter as there is no security guard everywhere. Entry fee is very nominal for such big place. We could see 2 waterfalls around. Must visit place. Specially Kailash temple which is centre of attraction as it consist of lot is carving beauty apart from the fact that it is impossible thing in history of carving.

Great place to view all ancient caves carved by our old age generation. It was very difficult to build this kind of structure in today's world with the latest technology but in ancient time using 100-300 years people work and design of carving not change in single decades.

Better than any Mughal Monument of India.
One of the best places of World!
Pride of all Indians for our ancestors who built this marvel which still amazes generations. Everyone must visit here with the intention to learn and not just have fun and picnic!
Must visit dream site.
Spend about 9 hours to explore fully and 4 hours minimum for hurry

Ellora caves is a must historical place to visit once in a lifetime. Oldest caves. Parking facility is available . There are many local guides available infront of the entrance. You can hire one if you want . So many caves are there but few is left unconstructed, few are considered very important and fully constructed. For few caves you need to hop on to the evehicle and they’ll take you to few more caves. Overall the trip would be good and will feel like you have learnt something. It was too great to view things in real after studying them all at school. There was entry fees and they’ll provide you a token, if you lose the token you will have to pay fine, instead you can buy one if you accompany someone

Absolutely loved it here.

Contrary to what I had known earlier, this place is HUGE. There are 34 caves with many having A & B, plus there are caves above the waterfall next to cave 29 that no one visits, but I loved the solitude there. Look out for the Ganesh statue in orange in my pictures.

If you are in good shape and want to spend a good 6 hours (not 2 or 3), Ellora is the place to visit, especially if the weather cooperates.

I walked along the golf cart road till Cave 34, and then took the trail from 34 down.

Don't miss this place. Recommended to start at 7 am, that's when the place is open. There are pay and park is available and plenty of hotels for food. 3 types of caves(Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism), totally 36 caves which required around 5+ hours to visit all caves. If you wanna know a history take guide and that too they will visit only major caves. The might Kailasa temple is here. Do not miss it.

Heritage Place, loved this place, well maintained and clean place, with good security guards and staff.

You must visit all caves from inside, make sure you have time for 3/4 hours.

We brought raw ingredients for Bhel chat and cooked there, all our friends liked the place..

This is a must place to visit for a kids of 7-8 year to know how the old sculptures are and it very interesting to go for trek to all the caves . I like the cave 29 the most . Path to it is very dangerous and worth going there . Some of the other notable caves are 16, 32,15 this are also worth visiting it .
As everyone will save about cave 16 so I did not talked much on it .

This place should be in your bucket list.
🔸It was the time of rain but still the beauty did not diminish.
🔸Why you love it:
1. It is one of UNESCO World Heritage Site
2. View from top of this site is breathtaking.
3. So clean environment and place
4. Views of mountains gardens are amazing.
5. Everything is carved in rocks, which makes this place amazing. Truly Marvel of Engineering and Art
🔸Note: Book you tickets online, no need to book tickets before arriving, just don’t buy from queue, because online it is cheaper by ₹5
🔸Enjoy the view, click some pics, take memories of ancient culture, sculptures and engineering marvel of of golden times
🔸Rest the pictures will speak a lot.
🔸💯recommended must go ✅
🔸Thank You❤
🔸Take care of yourself, keep being awesome 💯✅👍🏼
🔸Be Happy, Be You 🤩
The caves are divided into three groups representing different religious traditions: Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain. Each group of caves features intricately carved temples, monasteries, and sculptures, reflecting the religious diversity of the region during that time.The Kailash Temple, a monolithic rock-cut structure in Cave 16, stands out as a true marvel of ancient engineering and artistry. The level of detail and scale of this temple is awe-inspiring, and it's one of the highlights of Ellora.