Ellora Caves

About Ellora Caves, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Ancient rock-cut temples carved across five centuries

• Ellora Caves is an archaeological site comprising thirty-four major rock-cut temples excavated along a two-kilometer basalt cliff between the sixth and tenth centuries CE.
• Rashtrakuta and Yadava rulers sponsored much of the carving across Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain traditions.
• The standout structure is Cave 16, known as the Kailasa temple, which workers excavated vertically downward out of a single rock face to produce a multi-story shrine with life-sized elephant statues and narrative wall panels.
• Cave 10 houses a large seated Buddha beneath an arched stone ceiling, while the northern Jain caves display finely chiseled pillars.
• July to September turns the surrounding hillside green with seasonal waterfalls, though November to February brings dry and cooler days.
• The site operates from sunrise to sunset, remaining closed on Tuesdays.
• Entry costs forty rupees for Indian travelers.