UNESCO World Heritage Sites, India

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Ellora Caves

Ellora is the finest example of cave temples with almost 34 caves with intricate interiors and ornamental facades. Carved during the 350 A.D and 700 A.D., the rock temples and monasteries represent three faiths-Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.


Ellora Caves

Cave 10 is a Chaitya-hall (prayer hall) and is popularly known as ’Viswakarma’ cave has figurines of river goddesses adorning its entrance. The Dumer Lena cave is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Among the viharas (residences of the monks), Cave 5 is the largest. The most impressive vihara is the three storeyed cave called `Tin-Tala`.

The Kailasa temple in cave 16 is a masterpiece in itself. The temple that took nearly 100 years to be completed, is decorates with themes and incidents from the puranas. Consisting of exquisite carvings, the cave temple is the most striking one amongst the other of one single rock, the temple looks like freestanding structural southern type temple.
The exterior of the temple is richly carved with niches, plasters, windows as well as images of deities, mithunas (erotic male and female figures) and other figures.

Most of the deities at the left of the entrance are Shaivaite (followers of Lord Shiva) while on the right hand side the deities are Vaishnavites (followers of Lord Vishnu).

The whole temple consists of a shrine with a linga at the rear of the hall with a Dravidian sihhara, a flat-roofed mandapa supported by sixteen pillars, a separate porch of Nandi surrounded by an open-court entered through a low gopura. There are two dhvajastambhas (pillars with the flagstaff) in the courtyard. The grand sculpture of Ravana attempting to lift Mount Kailsasa, the abode of Lord Shiva, with his full might is landmark in Indian art.

All the carvings are clone in more than one level. The lower storey consists of several large shrines while the gallery along the three sides at the rear contains huge sculpted panels. A two-storeyed gateway on the west side provides access to the main temple and the Nandi Mandapa, both on the same level, and is approximately seven metres high.

The lower storeys of the main temple as well as the Nandi shrine are solid and cannot be entered. Stone bridged carved from the living rock connect the Nandi pavilion and the entrance porch of the temple. The main temple has a southern style superstructure. The lower storey has almost life sized elephants carved as it they are holding up the temple.

The Jaina Caves (30 to 34) are massive, well-proportioned, decorated and mark the last phase of the activity at Ellora.

Tourist information

Open from sunrise to sunset (except Mondays), Entry fee for those above 12 years. Rs.5, Free entry on Fridays.

Best time to visit

The season extends all round the year. Although the best season to visit Ajanta & Ellora is from October to March.

Access

Is located 30 km from Aurangabad, which is well connected from Mumbai and Delhi via Manmad by rail. Aurangabad can also be reached by road from Mumbai, Pune, Nasik and Shirdi.

Where to stay

Hotels are available to suit all budgets at Mumbai, Pune, Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Shirdi, Nasik, Dhule, Aurangabad, etc.

The Maharashtra tourism development corporation holiday resort near Aurangabad railway station, the Ajanta travelers lodge at the caves and the Maharshatra tourism development corporation holiday resort at Fardpur (about 4km from Ajanta) provide clean and comfortable accommodation.

Suggested Viewing time : Half a day to visit all the caves. The main attraction is the Kailasanatha temple. Daulatabad fortress is on the way is worth visiting.