Ellora Caves Aurangabad Entry Fee
- 40 per person for Indians
- 40 per person for visitors from SAARC countries
- 600 per person for Foreign tourists
- 25 for Video Camera
- 30 Parking fee for Car
Ellora Caves Aurangabad Phone
0240 234 3169
0240 233 1217
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| 4/5 stars
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Ellora Caves Aurangabad Address: Ellora Cave Road, Ellora, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, 431005, India
Ellora Caves is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in India with a group of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain rock-cut caves. It’s a complex of around 100 caves with intricate carvings and sculptures. The most famous of the caves is a monument called the Kailasa Temple. It’s a massive monolithic structure carved out of a single rock.
The caves have always been a holy spot, generally under the name of Verul. They’ve attracted pilgrims throughout the centuries and continue to do so, even today. The inscriptions and carvings in Ellora Caves depict various aspects of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
These caves are considered to be built when Buddhism was on the decline. The carving began about the same time the nearby Ajanta Caves were abandoned.
These caves are one of the most impressive examples of ancient Indian rock-cut architecture. Out of the 100 caves excavated, 34 are open to the public. These consist of 12 Buddhist caves (1–12), 17 Hindu caves (13–29) and 5 Jain caves (30–34). And these are a must-see for anyone interested in the history and culture of India.
Hinduism was beginning to establish its prominence during the period. And religious harmony existed across the region. The caves were built close to one another, depicting that harmony.
Where is Ellora Caves situated?
Ellora Caves is in Aurangabad, 29 km from the city. It’s one of the largest rock-cut cave temple complexes in the world. Many caves served as temples, while others were monasteries and rest stops. Ellora Caves Aurangabad was also an important commercial center in the region.
Image Gallery of Ellora Caves Aurangabad
Significance of Ellora Caves
Ellora Caves is an impressive amalgam of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain cave temples. The caves include Buddhist chaityas and viharas, Hindu temples and Jain shrines. Thus, Ellora Caves is a symbol of religious harmony, symphony and synchronicity of the period.
It illustrates the spirit of tolerance that was characteristic of ancient India. Ellora cave complex is also known for its unique artistic creation and technological wisdom. And thus, Ellora was declared a World Heritage Site in 1983 by UNESCO.
Ellora Caves Kailash Temple is the most celebrated feature here. But the site has many more caves and sculptures. A 15-meter-tall statue of Lord Buddha is another striking feature.
This uninterrupted sequence of cave monuments brings to life the civilization living between the 6th and the 10th centuries. Some texts also suggest that the caves were inhabited for a long time even afterwards.
Architecture of Ellora Caves
Ellora Caves architecture has a broad range of typologies and techniques. It has a significant influence on rock-cut practices at different places in Western Deccan, along with structural activities in southern India.
In general, caves in Ellora are a transition from the last phase in the rock-cut style to the emerging free-standing structural architecture. These play a significant role in the evolution of Indian temple architecture.
The earliest sanctuaries have simple layouts. They have small halls without columns in front of the shrine. And the door frames and columns are generally unadorned.
As the construction progressed, later caves had porches with sub-shrines. There also are circumambulatory passageways around the main sanctum. Also, the door frames and column shafts are seen to be ornate.
Then, the monolithic structures like Kailasa Temple, Chhota Kailasa and Indra Sabha seem to imitate constructed buildings. These were free-standing temples with open porches and enclosed mandapas, apart from shrines.
Kailasa Temple (Cave 16), carved out of a single rock, is designed to resemble Shiva’s abode: Mount Kailash. Most of the early Hindu caves were dedicated to Lord Shiva.
You’ll notice the typical features of a Hindu temple: the sanctum housing the lingam, a space for circumambulation, an assembly hall and a gateway.
The mandapa is supported by a Dravidian shikhara and 16 pillars. And a Nandi statue sits in front of the temple. Artisans from various regions of India appear to have worked here. Kailasa Temple is like an encyclopedia of Indian cave architecture.
Ellora Caves and Kailasa Temple synthesize the long tradition of cave carving in western India, Deccan and southern India.
The Buddhist caves on the premises feature monasteries and shrines. The Vishvakarma Cave (Cave 10) is the most notable. It’s a dedicated prayer house, and inside you’ll find a 15-foot statue of Buddha resting in a preaching pose.
The Jain caves in Ellora are smaller than the Hindu and Buddhist caves. These caves have architectural attributes such as mandapa and a pillared veranda.
Chhota Kailasa (Cave 30), designed like Kailasa Temple, is the most-visited Jain temple in Ellora Caves. Indra Sabha (Cave 32) is also well-known. It’s the largest and finest of all.
History of Ellora Caves
Ellora Caves' history is four centuries long. Although the timelines of cave excavations aren’t clear, it’s believed that a part of the Hindu caves and Buddhist caves were built during the Rashtrakuta dynasty. The Jain caves are considered to be built during the Yadava rule.
The caves were built over a period of 400 years, from the 6th to 10th centuries CE. The site has over 100 caves, but only 34 of them are open to the public. While the caves had religious importance, they also served as lodgings to the monks and traders.
The Buddhist caves (1 to 12) are said to be excavated between the 6th and 8th centuries. And the Jain caves (30 to 34) were excavated between the 9th and 12th centuries.
The Hindu caves were excavated in two phases. Some of these were excavated even before the Buddhist or Jain caves. Nine caves (17 to 25) were excavated early in the 6th century, followed by four more (26 to 29). The other Hindu caves (13 to 16) were built between the 7th and 10th centuries.
Things to do at Ellora Caves
1. Checking out Hindu temples – Among the Ellora Caves list, caves 13 to 29 are Hindu caves. The most prominent ones are Cave 15 (Dasavatara), Cave 16 (Kailasa Temple) and Cave 21 (Rameswara). Kailasa Temple is known for its rock-cut splendour, Dasavatara Cave mainly depicts Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu in various forms, and Rameswara Cave is famous for its sculptural representations. Cave 29 (Dumar Lena) is also popular. It’s by the side of Sita-Ki-Nahani, a small pool created by a waterfall from River Elaganga.
2. Checking out Buddhist monasteries – Ellora Caves Buddhist monasteries are from caves 1 to 12. Amongst those caves, Cave 10 (Viswakarma), Cave 11 (Do Tal) and Cave 12 (Teen Tal) are the impressive ones. Viswakarma Cave is a shrine with a tall stupa of Buddha, Do Tal is a two-storey monastery, and Teen Tal is a three-storey monastery. All Buddhist caves are carved with paintings and sculptures of Buddha and symbols of Buddhist mythology.
3. Checking out Jain shrines – Jain caves in Ellora are caves 30 to 34. The most remarkable of the shrines are Cave 30 (Chhota Kailasa), Cave 32 (Indra Sabha) and Cave 33 (Jagannath Sabha). Chhota Kailasa is like an unfinished replica of the Hindu Kailasa Temple, Indra Shabha is a series of Jain shrines, and Jagannath Sabha has some well-preserved sculptures. All Jain caves are carved with fine and delicate sculptures and have paintings dedicated to the Digambara sect.
4. Exploring Kailasa Temple – Kailasa Temple is an ancient rock-cut temple complex with a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. It has a huge monolithic Shivalinga. The temple has sculptures depicting events from the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. The entire temple base, walls and ceiling have been decorated with delicate and elaborate carvings. And like all Shiva temples, a Nandi statue sits on the porch in front of the central shrine. The entire work was done with just basic tools like chisels and hammers.
5. Visiting Grishneshwar Temple – Grishneshwar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It’s a well-known jyotirlinga near Ajanta Ellora Caves. It’s a revered place of pilgrimage at Verul village, located at a distance of about a km from Ellora Caves. Many pilgrims gather at the temple during the Mahashivratri festival. The water that flows from inside the temple is also considered holy.
Ellora Caves Timings and Entry Fee
The opening time of Ellora Caves is from sunrise to sunset, from 6 AM to 6 PM. Except for Tuesdays, you can visit it any day of the week. It’s open throughout the year.
Ellora Caves’ entry fee for Indian nationals and visitors from the SAARC countries is ₹40. For tourists from other nations, the Ellora Caves entrance fee is ₹600. Kids (below 15 years of age) can get free entry to the caves.
The camera is also charged at ₹25.
Best time to visit Ellora Caves
You can visit Ajanta Ellora Caves at any time except for the peak summer months. It’s in May and June when the weather can be unbearable, especially in the daytime.
Winter is the best time to visit Ellora Caves. The temperature sees a moderate drop during the winter months, from November to February, and it’s charming. Monsoon (August and September) is also ideal for the visit. The region receives plenty of rain showers, and it’s a delight to check the intricate details of Ellora Caves in those times.
Time to explore Ellora Caves
The time required to see Ellora Caves is about 2 hours. It’s ample time to explore the must-see caves in Ellora. If you want to explore all the caves in detail, you might need an hour or two more.
Also, it takes an hour to reach Ellora Caves from Aurangabad, the nearest city. So, it’s best to have a half-day free for a visit.
Things to keep in mind while visiting Ellora Caves
- Ellora Caves is a religious place for local people.
- People with health conditions and disabilities should avoid visiting.
- Visit the caves early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowd.
- Carry a bottle of water and some light snacks.
- Dress modestly while visiting the site.
- Take your hat and sunscreen.
- Wear light and comfortable clothing.
- Wear walking shoes ideal for uneven surfaces.
- Watch your steps, as the floors can be uneven.
- Photography may not be allowed inside some caves.
- Read up about the importance of Ellora Caves before you visit.
- Hire an Ellora Caves guide for an enjoyable tour.
- Behave appropriately, not disrespecting any culture.
- Be mindful not to damage any sculpture or structure.
- Keep an insect/mosquito repellent handy.
How to reach Ellora Caves?
Ellora Caves are situated in Aurangabad, about 29 km from the city. The nearest domestic airport, railway station and bus stop are in Aurangabad itself. The nearest international airport is in Mumbai, though, 426 km away.
And here’s how to reach Ellora Caves from different places:
Reach Ellora Caves from Aurangabad
Aurangabad is the nearest city to Ellora Caves’ world heritage site, 29 km away. And following are the different ways to reach Ellora Caves from Aurangabad:
By bus – You can find a bus from Aurangabad to Ellora Caves easily. State-run buses, as well as private buses, run from the central bus stand and CIDCO bus stand. They drop you close to the entrance of Ellora Caves.
By auto-rickshaws – Auto-rickshaws are available all over Aurangabad. You can hire one to take you to the Ellora Caves site, about 30 km away. However, they might not be available to hire for your return trip from the caves.
By cab/taxi – Cabs and taxis are the best way to get from Aurangabad to Ellora Caves. They take less than an hour to cover the 30 km distance. You can hire a cab from the top car rentals in Aurangabad and explore all the places to visit near Ellora Caves.
Reach Ellora Caves from Mumbai
Mumbai to Ellora Caves distance is 332 km. And following are the different ways to reach Ellora Caves from Mumbai:
By train – You can take a trip from Mumbai to Ajanta Ellora Caves by train easily. Aurangabad is the railway station near Ellora Caves. From the railway station, go to the government bus stand and take a bus to the caves.
By bus – Regular buses from Mumbai to Aurangabad are available. From Aurangabad, take a bus to Ellora Caves. Special buses for Mumbai to Ellora Caves tour for groups also run from time to time.
By cab/taxi – Mumbai to Ajanta Ellora Caves road trip is the best way to explore the caves. You can hire a cab from the top car rentals in Mumbai and explore all the places near Ellora Caves. The cabs take about 7 hours to cover the 330 km distance.
Reach Ellora Caves from Pune
The distance from Pune to Ellora Caves is 260 km. And following are the different ways to reach Ellora Caves from Pune:
By train – Pune to Ellora Caves trains run regularly to Aurangabad. From Aurangabad railway station, go to the government bus stand for a bus to Ellora Caves. They drop you at the entrance of the cave site.
By bus – Regular buses to Aurangabad are available from Pune. And from the Aurangabad bus stop, you can take a bus to Ellora Caves. Special group tour buses are also available for Ellora Caves from Pune sometimes.
By cab/taxi – The best way to visit Ellora caves from Pune is in a private car or taxi. They take about 6 hours for the 260 km distance. You can hire a cab from the top car rentals in Pune and explore nearby places.
FAQs about Ellora Caves
The monolithic monument Kailasa Temple is the most famous among the caves in Ellora. This Ellora Caves temple is known for its unique artistic beauty and architectural splendour. It’s a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, carved from a single rock.
i) Ajanta Caves are related to Buddhism, while Ellora has caves representing the Buddhist, Hindu and Jain religions.
ii) Ajanta Caves is known for its paintings and carvings. Ellora Caves is better known for its architecture and sculptures from the abovementioned faiths.
iii) Both caves are far away. The distance between Ajanta and Ellora Caves is around 100 km.
It’s believed that some of the earliest Hindu caves were built under the Kalachuri dynasty, while the Buddhist caves were built under the Chalukya dynasty. The later Hindu caves and early Jain caves are said to be built under the Rashtrakuta dynasty. And the last Jain caves were built under the patronage of the Yadava dynasty.
If you’re an art connoisseur, fit Ajanta Caves into your itinerary. It’s also more fun to explore because of its natural surroundings. If you’re an admirer of architecture, visit Ellora Caves.
Also, if you’re short of time, see Ellora Caves. It’s better accessible from Aurangabad. Ajanta Caves is in a remote area. So, it needs planning and a day or more reserved depending on your place of stay.
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