Last Updated on: 31st October 2025, 07:59 am
Carved between the 6th-12th centuries AD, Maharashtra’s Ellora Caves are hailed by many as an overlooked wonder of the world. The site is home to the spectacular Kailasa Temple (Cave 16), but over 100 rock-cut caves and temples were created here in total, at least 34 of which are open to the public. This ultimate Ellora Caves guide will show you them all.
There’s still some debate over who created all of these caves and when. But it’s now commonly believed that the Rashtrakuta dynasty (753-982 AD) created both the Buddhist and Hindu caves, while the later Yadava dynasty (1187–1317) built the Jain caves.
Regardless of who’s responsible, monuments belonging to three different religions standing side-by-side for centuries has long been hailed as an example of religious tolerance in ancient India.
In the following guide, we’ll be going over practical visiting tips, followed by pictures of nearly all of the caves and descriptions of the more notable ones.
For more information on transport and where to stay in the nearby city of Aurangabad, be sure to check the end of the article.
Ellora Caves Visiting Tips
TICKETS & OPENING HOURS: Tickets to the Ellora Caves cost Rs 600 for foreigners and just Rs 40 for Indians. You can either buy them at the site or in advance online. If you’re planning to arrive right around sunrise, you’ll definitely want to purchase your tickets online.
Note that there’s no need to print out online tickets, but you will want to save the image or file to your phone in advance.
The Ellora Caves are open daily except Tuesdays. (When planning your Aurangabad trip, also keep in mind that the Ajanta Caves are open daily except Mondays.)
While the official hours state 6:00-18:00, in reality they won’t always let you in that early. In my case I had to wait until 6:45, so the actual hours seem rather fluid. Learn more about reaching the site below.
PLANNING YOUR TIME: The top highlight of the entire complex is Cave 16, also known as Kailasa Temple. And that’s the first temple you’ll approach upon entering the site from the main entrance.
Therefore, it would be wise to start at Cave 16 to beat the crowds before walking over to Cave 1 and proceeding to see the rest in numerical order.
But to really take your time seeing everything at the Ellora Caves, it could take up to six hours! If you don’t have that much time or energy, or if you’re visiting during summer, you’ll be fine with focusing on the main highlights.
Aside from Cave 16, the most interesting caves to focus on are Caves 10-12, Cave 15, Cave 21, Cave 28 and Caves 30-34.
GETTING AROUND THE SITE: All of the Buddhist caves and most of the Hindu caves are relatively close to one another. But Cave 29 is a 15-20 minute walk away from Caves 27/28, while Cave 30 is then another long walk away from there.
The site has a shuttle system in place known as the E-Vehicle which requires a small fee. But from my experience, the shuttle system seems largely off-limits to solo travelers. They were almost always filled up with large families or tour groups, and there didn’t seem to be any chance of hopping on a bus with strangers.
So if you’re visiting independently or in a small group, be prepared to walk.
WHAT TO BRING: While the terrain at Ellora Caves is mostly flat and paved, prepare for a visit almost as you would for a long hike. Bring plenty of water, a hat, sunscreen and some snacks. There are restaurants located right outside the site, but there’s so much to see here that you might not have time for a lunch break.
An offline app like Organic Maps will also come in handy with navigation.
The Buddhist Caves (1-12)
The Buddhist caves at Ellora were largely carved throughout the 7th century, possibly as late as 730. While the Buddhist caves are generally regarded as the oldest, as we’ll cover below, a couple of Hindu caves may predate them.
The caves here don’t quite compare with those of Ajanta (an entirely Buddhist site) and these shouldn’t be thought of as a substitute for those caves. With that said, you will find some outstanding highlights.
We’ll be presenting the caves in numerical order, though Cave 6 is actually believed to be the oldest. While we won’t be going into detail about every single cave, you will see most of them pictured below.
The first notable Buddhist cave is Cave 2, carved in the 8th century AD. It consists of a hypostyle hall with a carved Buddha statue in the main shrine.
As you’ll soon observe, many of the caves feature not only the Buddha himself, but various bodhisattvas, or beings that managed to achieve nirvana but then stayed behind to help others achieve the same goal.
Cave 5 is also quite remarkable. It contains two long parallel benches which indicate it being a refectory. But there’s also a shrine with a Buddha statue at the end.
The hall likely also served as an assembly hall and wasn’t just used for dining. Nevertheless, this particular layout is very rare at Buddhist caves in India.
As mentioned above, Cave 6 is likely the oldest of the Buddhist caves here. It features beautiful carvings of the Buddhist goddesses Tara and Mahamayuri.
The next few caves are clustered closely together, with Cave 7 being mostly an empty room. Cave 8 has some interesting but damaged carvings, while Cave 9 didn’t seem accessible during my visit. Visitors could, at least, admire its detailed facade from below.
The most stunning Buddhist cave at Ellora has got to be Cave 10. Built around 650 AD, it’s also known as the ‘chaitya cave,’ with chaitya being another word for stupa.
It consists of two stories with a beautifully carved facade, while you can find the main stupa within the central hall.
The Buddha stature here is 15-feet tall and it sits in front of an even larger carved stupa. Stupas are often regarded as one of the holiest parts of a Buddhist temple, so this particular hall was no doubt significant to the resident monks of the Ellora Caves.
Cave 10 is also home to numerous other cells, in addition to a vihara, or assembly hall. Interestingly, the upper floor likely housed music to accompany the chanting of monks on the lower level.
Next come Caves 11 and 12, both of which are remarkable for their sheer size. The layouts of the two are quite similar and are the most impressive of the Buddhist caves from a pure engineering perspective. It’s mind-boggling to think of all the basalt rock that was removed here with primitive tools.
Unlike nearby Cave 16, however, neither of these caves are very flashy with the exception of a few of the carvings in the inner shrines. They largely served as large Mahayana monastery complexes to house dozens of monks.
While largely Mahayana, some of these caves also contain symbols and carvings from Tantric (Vajrayana) Buddhism as well.
These caves are believed to date to the 8th century AD.
The Hindu Caves (13-29)
The Hindu caves at Ellora span from numbers 13-29. As mentioned above, Kalilasa Temple is Cave 16 and it would be wise to begin your visit there, along with the adjacent 16A.
When touring the Hindu caves in numerical order, the first remarkable one is Cave 14. Just like Kailasa Temple, it features a scene of the demon Ravana shaking Mount Kailasa, the abode of Shiva and Parvati (and also a real mountain in Tibet).
The main hall features multiple pillars along with detailed carvings of popular Hindu deities along the walls. One wall contains Shiva-related imagery, and the other Vaishnava carvings.
The Seven Divine Mothers also make an appearance, suggesting that this cave was perhaps dedicated to the Shakti cult.
Just next door, Cave 15 also shouldn’t be missed. Accessed via an ascending staircase, it features a standalone structure in its courtyard known as the ‘Hall of Dancers.’
It was named after its carvings of dancing apsaras, or celestial nymphs. But it’s unlikely that any dancing actually took place inside.
Interestingly, similar halls would become commonplace in Angkor, Cambodia centuries later.
The main portion of Cave 15 appears to have been directly influenced by Caves 11 and 12 which, as mentioned above, are Buddhist.
But the carvings inside are clearly Hindu, with different sections being divided between Shaivite and Vaishnava scenes. This cave was created during the reign of Dantidurga of the Rashtrakuta dynasty (r.758-756).
Cave 16, also known as Kailasa Temple, is the top highlight of the Ellora Caves – if not India as a whole! But we’ve already covered Cave 16 in detail in a dedicated guide, so be sure to check that out to learn all you need to know.
As mentioned, it would be wise to start at Cave 16 first thing in the morning. It’s also worth stopping by again before leaving the Ellora Caves, as it looks great in the afternoon light (a time when it’s also the most crowded, unfortunately).
Continuing along the main path, the route will gradually take you uphill, and you’ll soon find a collection of smaller caves clustered together.
The most notable of the bunch is Cave 21, a Shiva temple carved in the 7th century that may even predate the Rashtrakuta dynasty.
Also known as the Ramesvara cave, it features a Nandi (the bull that serves as Shiva’s animal mount) platform in the middle of its courtyard. Many of the scenes within, meanwhile, depict Shiva and Parvati.
Elsewhere, you’ll find a stunning panel of various mother goddesses that make up the Shakti cult. And the river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna also make appearances.
As mentioned above, more caves have been discovered at Ellora than the 34 numbered ones. And some of these can now be accessed.
A path branching off from the main one will take you further uphill toward what are known as the ‘Ganesha and Jogeshwari Caves.’
Not much information on these caves seem to exist, and many of them are in a dilapidated state. But their position above the rest of the site, along with the fact that they surround a large pool of water, make this section well worth the effort to see.
There are hardly any carvings up here, though you will find one depicting the elephant god Ganesha.
When finished, you’ll have to backtrack to the main path, and the numbered caves continue again, starting with Cave 25. The next several caves take on a rather similar look and appearance.
Cave 27 is the most impressive of the bunch here. Just beyond it, you’ll see Cave 28 and then Cave 29 further in the distance. But the path was blocked during my visit, leaving visitors with no choice but to take a long alternative route. (Cave 28, it turns out, was not accessible at all.)
You’ll have to backtrack a bit until you see the ‘E Vehicle Point.’ As mentioned above, most of the E Vehicles at the Ellora Caves seemed to always be packed with multigenerational families, and there didn’t seem to be a way for independent travelers to just hop on one.
Walking past the bus stand, it was about 10-15 minutes on foot to reach Cave 29, but fortunately the effort would pay off.
After Kailasa Temple, Cave 29 is arguably the top highlight of Ellora’s Hindu cave section. Cave 29 was likely carved in the 8th century, though some believe it could predate many of the Buddhist ones.
In various ways, Cave 29 resembles the main cave of Mubai’s Elephanta Caves. It features a spacious main hall that contains 26 pillars in total, while additional smaller caves sit opposite open-air courtyards.
Another similarity to Elephanta is the Shiva shrine within the cave that houses a Shiva linga. It contains four doorways, each of which is guarded by a pair of dvarapala guardians.
What really makes Cave 29 stand out are its carvings. While most of the Ellora Caves feature carved mythological scenes, the ones here are both especially large and detailed.
If you happen to visit during monsoon season, you may even get to see a waterfall cascading down Cave 29’s eastern side.
The Jain Caves (30-34)
Past Cave 29, the last of the Hindu caves, it’s then another 15-20 minutes on foot to the Jain caves. By this point, you’re likely feeling ‘caved out.’ And even if you started exploring around sunrise, it will surely be getting quite hot out by this point.
But do yourself a favor and don’t skip the Jain caves. There are only four of them and they’re all fantastic. And on the way there, you’ll pass a rest area with toilets and refreshments.
As a side note, Jain temples in general are often some of the most stunning structures you’ll encounter while traveling through India. Jainism – a mostly agnostic religion that involves the worship of liberated souls – has always seemed to place a strong emphasis on aesthetics, and Ellora Caves is no exception.
Upon arriving at the main hub of the Jain caves, home to Caves 31-34, you’ll have to make another detour to reach Cave 30. It should take roughly 5-7 minutes to get there.
Cave 30 is known as ‘Little Kailasa’ due to some of the similarities between its carvings and those of Cave 16. But it’s not anywhere nearly as large. The cave is believed to date to the 9th century, making it the oldest of the Jain caves.
Confusingly, on the way to Cave 30 and back, you’ll pass by Cave 30A. The interior mostly appears unfinished, but it’s a mystery why this cave didn’t get its own number.
Back near the main hub, Cave 31 is also rather unremarkable, but the remaining three caves make up for it.
Cave 32 consists of two stories and was carved sometime in the 10th or 11th century. It, like the caves nearby, are part of the Digambar sect of Jainism which emphasizes nakedness.
The main shrine is dedicated to Lord Mahavira (accordingly naked), the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism who’s said to have lived around the time of the Buddha.
On the upper floor, you’ll encounter a sculpture of Matanga, the God of Wealth (Jains are indeed known for being business savvy) which appears quite similar to Kubera, the Hindu version of the deity. Also featured is Ambica, the goddess of prosperity.
The level of detail – both of the figures and the geometric patterns – is mesmerizing.
Interestingly, this cave is known as ‘Indra sabha.’ Indra is a major deity in the mythology of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, and in the latter he rules over the realm of heaven.
Interestingly, Indra was a prominent deity in the Hindu Vedas, but he fell out of favor at some point and scarcely any Hindu Indra temples in India exist.
Cave 33 is known as ‘Jagganatha sabha.’ It takes on quite a similar layout and appearance to Cave 32 and is equally as impressive.
Uniquely, an opening in the upper floor leads directly to Cave 34 which can be a bit disorienting if you’re used to entering them all from the front. Cave 34 is smaller than the others but still worth a look.
Something that sets these Jain caves apart are the unique designs and ornamentations of the pillars. These caves tend to get crowded with tour groups, but if you’re visiting the Ellora Caves independently, it’s worth waiting around to have one of the main halls to yourself for a bit.
The Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
While not part of the Ellora Caves archaeological site, just a kilometer or so to the west is the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, one of India’s twelve jyotralinga temples.
Explaining the significance of the jyotralinga temples is beyond the scope of this guide, but many devout Hindus travel far and wide to make pilgrimages to them, making them extremely popular when it comes to ‘temple tourism.’
I attempted to visit, but was told that no cameras nor even cellphones were allowed inside. That would be fine, but the nearby ‘lockers’ were totally insecure, with the staff just leaving them on open tables, so I just left.
I would later visit the Mahakeleshwar Jyotralinga Temple in Ujjain which has impeccable storage and security. Learn more about that experience, along with the significance of the jyotralingas, in an upcoming guide.
Additional Info
The Ellora Caves are situated about 30 km northwest of Aurangabad, and there are two ways to reach the site.
One option is to take a bus from Aurangabad’s central bus stand. The first bus is said to depart around 8:30 am, with buses departing every 15-20 minutes or so after that.
But if you want to arrive earlier and beat the crowds, hiring a private driver will be the best option.
In my case, I arranged a tuk tuk driver with my hotel for Rs 1700 roundtrip, including wait time. He came to pick me up at 5:30, and I’d later end up spending six hours exploring the entire site.
Alternatively, you can also take a guided tour. Tours like this one combine both the Ellora and Ajanta Caves over two days. While some people try to squeeze in both cave sites on the same day, I’d highly recommend separating them. Not only are they far apart, but each site takes several hours to appreciate in full.
For those coming from Mumbai, several trains depart per day, with the ride lasting 6-7 hours. There are also several trains per day from Nashik, with the ride lasting 3-4 hours.
You can also get to Aurangabad directly from cities like New Delhi, Agra, Bhopal, Hyderabad and more.
If you’re doing a long trip through India, it’s best to create an account on the official Indian Railways (IRCTC) website. But that’s much easier said than done!
If you’re just doing a shorter trip, it’s best to book train tickets through 12GoAsia. You’ll pay a significantly higher fee, but it’s a much smoother experience.
The above link is an affiliate link, but I did use 12GoAsia a few times before I got my IRCTC account set up, and I had no issues.
Aurangabad also has its own airport, with direct flights from Mumbai and Delhi.
Despite being the base from which to visit the Ellora and Ajanta Caves – arguably India’s most stunning tourist attractions – Aurangabad isn’t nearly as touristy as many Indian cities further north. And there doesn’t seem to be a designated tourist or hotel district.
For those willing to splurge a bit, Gateway Aurangabad is one of the highest-rated hotels in the city. Hotel JP International, meanwhile, seems like a good mid-range (by Indian pricing standards) option.
Being a long-term budget traveler, I stayed at Galaxy Residency which was a bit far from the center, but it was clean and had all the basics for less than Rs 1000 per night.
They will set you up with a driver, which has both its pros and cons. On the one hand, he offered reasonable prices and always showed up on time.
But he was also very persistent, and if he didn’t have any customers on a particular day, he’d just sit outside the hotel waiting for me to see what I had planned! On one of our outings, he also kept encouraging me to buy stuff from his acquaintances which I had to keep refusing.