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Ellora Caves

Ellora Caves – The Chisel of the Gods

The Ellora cave temples are an artistic sangam or confluence of the three great religions of India – Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. The common thread that runs through this ever-changing tapestry in stone is an energetic expression of devotion that transformed inanimate rock into living divinity.

The 34 caves, excavated into the vertical face of a crescent-shaped hill, span a period of about 600 years between 5 to 11 AD. The centerpiece at Ellora is, undoubtedly, the magnificent Kailasa temple – the largest monolithic structure in the world.

History

Ellora, also referred to as Verul in the travelogues of Arab and European visitors, is a short 29 km drive west of Aurangabad in central Maharashtra. Unlike Ajanta (some 100 km to the north west) which are predominantly Buddhist, three distinct religious influences – Buddhist, Hindu and Jain – have given shape to Ellora.

Though never ‘lost’ to civilization like Ajanta, the cave of Ellora stopped functioning as temples not long after they were completed. Over the following centuries, local tribes and even bandits have used them as shelters and hideouts. It was around the turn of the 20th century that the caves were flushed out and their sanctity ‘restored’

The Caves

The creative outpouring and sculptural brilliance at Ellora singles it out as one of the most outstanding cluster of caves not just in India but the world over.

And Kailasa, the largest monolithic structure in the world, was its finest expression. Only a madman or genius could have conceived and executed such a grandiose undertaking. Unlike most buildings that rise from the base up, Kailasa was carved out of a single rock from the top to the bottom. In such an undertaking, there was no room for mistakes; a false stroke cannot be reworked.

Even without Kailasa, Ellora would have earned its place as a World Heritage Sites. Indeed, the profusion of images here, each one minutely detailed, can be overpowering.

Sadly all the paintings that covered the walls of the early Buddhist and Hindu caves are completely destroyed. All that remains today of this legacy are the palettes that the artists used to mix their paints; embossed into the stone flooring of the caves.

NOTE

  • The caves are closed on all Mondays and all national holidays.
  • On all other days they remain open from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm.
  • A little consideration goes a long way in preserving the ancient masterpieces of this World Heritage Site
 
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Preserve this World Heritage Site

A little consideration goes a long way in preserving the ancient masterpieces at this World Heritage Site for future generations to admire and appreciate.

  • Do not touch the paintings
  • Flash photography is taboo. Bright lights cause colors to fade and damage the paintings
  • Use the dustbins provided around the site.
  • Do not smoke. Ajanta is a smoke-free zone
  • Spitting is strictly prohibited
  • Food and drinks are not allowed in the caves
  • Loud music is not in keeping with the sanctity of the place.
 

Conducted Tours

Conducted day tour buses (guide included) for Ellora leave each morning (except Mondays and National Holidays) from the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) complex near the city railway station!

The tour includes stops at Daulatabad Fort, Ghrishneshwar Jyothirlinga Temple and Khuldabad the final resting place of Aurangzeb, the last of the great Mughal Emperors.

There is a separate tour for Ajanta too!

 A number of local tour operators also offer escorted packages in private taxis to Ellora and other tourist sites around the city.

            We recommend a minimum of two full day to cover all the region has to offer

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Recommended Circuit

Ex Aurangabad

Day 1               Ajanta (100 KM) – including View Point.

Day 2               Ellora – (36 km) including Daulatabad Fort, Khuldabad, Ghrishneshwar Temple, Bibi-ka-Maqbara and Panchakki

If you have time we suggest you consider a half-day trek up to Daulatabad Fort (take a guide along if you want to truly appreciate the genius of its design) and a visit to Paithan to buy saris woven in gold and silver thread.

Helpful Hints

  • Carry a torch or portable flashlight which will help you check out the sculptures and relief work in the inner reaches of the caves where it can quite dark.
  • Even though one is allowed to use a flash inside the caves high-speed film (ISO 400 or higher) and a fast lens will extend the reach of the camera. 
  • Engaging the a local guide is worth the price for they save you the hassle of groping around in the dark (literally so inside the caves) and lead you straight to the important highlights. Insights and anecdotes aside they will also be able to point out details (like a celestial imp showing his butt to Ravana as the demon shakes Mount Kailasa) you might otherwise miss.

However only use guides attached to the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) which has its counter at the entrance of the caves. ASI guides charge at a rate fixed by the organization.

Things To See & Do Around Ajanta

Ghrishneshwar Temple & Ahilyabai Holkar Tank (1 km)

The elegant shrine adorned with carvings enthrones one of the 12 Jyothirlingas or naturally formed lingas of symbols of Lord Shiva. The gleaming linga of black stone is set in an altar in the very heart of the temple.

Daulatabad (6 km)

The magnificent 12th century fortified citadel rises dramatically above the horizon on the road to Ellora. A trek up to the summit of the fort is a pleasant outing but to appreciate the sheer brilliance of its defense system it should be undertaken with a guide.

Khuldabad (3 km)

Within this walled city lies the simple tomb of Aurangzeb, the last of the great Mughal emperors.

Pirion-ka-Talao (3 km)

Just off the road from Khuldabad is a small lake along whose banks stands the tomb of the Sufi saint Pir Ganj Ravan.

Gawtala Wildlife Sanctuary

North of Ellora is a dense forest reserve that is home to leopards, bears, wolves, hyenas, jackals, flying squirrels and 85 species of feathered creatures.

Excursions

A visit to Ellora would not be complete without the Ajanta cave temples and sites around Aurangabad.

Check Aurangabad – Excursions to see what the region has to offer.

A visit to Daulatabad Fort is highly recommended.

More about the Caves

More Details About The Caves

(Sketch/Map of Ellora showing the physical layout of the caves and their numbers.)

The caves are not numbered chronologically but rather from south to north and all face westwards

The caves here fall into three distinct categories.

  1. Buddhist:

Caves 1 to 12 at the southern end.  5 to 7 AD.

2.     Hindu:

Caves 13 to 29 in the middle. 8 and 9 AD.

  • Jain:

Caves 30 to 34 at the northern end. 9 to 11 AD.

Cave 1:

The southernmost cave is devoid of any artistic adornment and served as a storeroom.

Cave 2:

An impressive Buddhist monastery that houses a profusion of images of the Buddha and other divinities.

Caves 3 & 4:

These two caves are in ruins.

Caves 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9:

Caves 5 & 6 are large monasteries with several delicately carved columns. The entrance to Cave 5 is from its upper level. Cave 6 leads to Cave 9. Cave 7 is a simple hallway. In Cave 8 the shrine girdled with a processional passageway projects into the hallway

Vishvakarma (Cave 10):

This impressive monument, the only Buddhist sanctuary in Ellora, represents the culmination of Buddhist cave-temple architecture in India. A flight of stairs leads to the upper gallery from where you get an overview of the ribbed roof and the central stupa.

Do & Tin Tal (Caves 11 & 12):

Though their names suggest that these are two and three level monasteries, both are three storied monuments. (The ground floor of Do Tal or Cave 11 was fillrd with debris when the cave was first discovered). On the upper level of Cave 12 the antechamber is flanked by two rows of seven Buddhas seated in the lotus position. 

Cave 13:

We now enter the Hindu part of the complex. This cave is a small plain hall, which was used as a storage place

Ravana ki Khai (Cave 14):

This single level monument has interesting images of the gods including one of the demon Ravana shaking Mt Kailasa.

Dashavatara (Cave 15):

Started as a Buddhist monastery, this two level excavation stands behind a freestanding monolithic mandap. River goddesses flank the entrance of a temple replete with fascinating images.

Kailasa (Cave 16):

Undoubtedly the most outstanding monument in the Ellora collection. This temple that represents the heavenly abode of Shiva and Parvati was carved from a solid mountain, not from the base but from the top downwards. To step across the threshold is to enter heaven frozen for eternity in stone images.

Budget enough time to explore this fascinating temple which also includes panels depicting the Mahabharata and Ramayana wars.

Caves 17 to 20 & 22 to 28:

These adhere to the standard and traditional architectural form of cave temples and are of little interest

Rameshvara (Cave 21):

The approach to this monument, celebrated for the charm of its sculpture, is through a courtyard dominated by a monolithic Nandi or sacred bull.

Dhumar Lena (Cave 29):

The style and sculptures of this temple are very similar to those at the cave temples at Elephanta Island near Mumbai (Bombay).

Chota Kailasa (Cave 30):

With this small scale and incomplete replica of Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) we enter the Jain excavations of Ellora.

Indra Sabha (Cave 32):

The finest and perfect and complete excavation of the Jain temples

Caves 31, 33 & 34:

These three round off the Jain series and with them the rock-cut tradition of Ellora comes to an end.

Getting There

 

Air   Rail   Road

AIR:

Nearest airport

Aurangabad (30 km).

RAIL:

Nearest station

Aurangabad (30 km)

ROAD:

State Transport buses ply at regular intervals between Ellora and Aurangabad Central Bus Station.

General Information

Climate   Clothing   Best Season   Languages   Local Transport   Eating Out   Shopping  

 

 

Climate

Summer:

(April to July) scorching heat and arid conditions.

Winter:

(November to March) Hot sunny days and pleasant evenings.

Monsoon/Rainy Season:

(August to October) The area is flush green. It is probably the best season to visit the caves.

Clothing

Cottons

Light woolens for winter evenings

Season

Year-round

The best season however is during the monsoon rains when the area is flush with vegetation

Summers are scorching

Winters are pleasant

Languages

Marathi and Hindi

Enough English to get by

Local Transport

None

The caves must be explored by foot.

However one can drive between the parking lots outside the Hindu and Jain caves.

Eating out

The MTDC restaurant at the entrance to the caves serves Indian and continental cuisine – vegetarian and non-vegetarian.

The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) runs a small snack bar located at the edge of the parking lot and in front of Kilasha temple.

In addition there are a number of food (and souvenir) stalls clustered outside the entrance of the caves and along the road leading to Ghrishneshwar Temple1 km further down the road.

Accommodation

            There are no hotels or lodges around Ellora.

Aurangabad, which is often used by tourists visiting Ajanta & Ellora as the base city, has a wide selection.

 For more information see Aurangabad – Accommodation

Tourist Information Centers

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (MTDC).

Mumbai Tel: (022) 2024482, 2024522, 2024584 Fax: 2024521

Aurangabad Tel: (0240) 334259 Fax: 331198

Click here for the complete list of Maharashtra Tourism Offices

Govt. of India Tourist Office.

Delhi: (011) 3320005/8, 3320109 Fax: 3320342

Aurangabad – Tel: (0240) 331217

Click here for the complete list of Government of India Tourist Offices in India and abroad.

 

Street Smart
  • The caves are closed on all Mondays and all national holidays.
  • On all other days they remain open from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm.
  • Conducted day tour buses (guide included) for Ellora leave each morning (except Mondays and National Holidays) from the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) complex at Aurangabad (100 km) near the city railway station.

The tour includes stops at Daulatabad Fort and Kuldabad the final resting place of Aurangzeb, the last of the great Mughal Emperors.

  • There is a separate tour for Ajanta too!
  • Carry a torch or portable flashlight which will help you check out the sculptures and relief work in the inner reaches of the caves where it can quite dark.
  • Even though one is allowed to use a flash inside the caves high-speed film (ISO 400 or higher) and a fast lens will extend the reach of the camera. 
  • Engage only those guides attached to the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) which has its counter at the entrance of the caves. ASI guides charge at a rate fixed by the organization.
  • After you have seen the caves make sure to check out Daulatabad, Ghrishneshwar Jyothirlingas Temple and Khuldabad the final resting place of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.