Ellora Caves

Ellora Caves

The Ellora Caves are located in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, and were built from the mid-4th century to the 11th century. They are masterpieces of ancient Indian Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain art. The Ellora Caves are among the finest examples of temple rock-cut architecture in the world and form the largest cave temple complex in India. They stand atop towering, steep cliffs, where 34 cave temples were carved out, one after another, stretching over 2,000 meters.

These well-preserved and orderly ruins, dating back to the period between 600 and 1000 AD — a time of renaissance for ancient Indian civilization — are not only unique in artistic form and exceptional in craftsmanship, but also serve as sacred sites for Buddhism, Brahmanism, and Jainism, embodying the spirit of tolerance and forgiveness characteristic of ancient India. The Ellora Caves consist of 14 sections, each carved into the basalt cliffs thirty kilometers from Aurangabad. They showcase both exquisitely detailed exteriors and intricately designed interiors, making them truly outstanding examples of temple rock carving. These temple structures represent the development history of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain cultures.

Ellora Caves

Reason to visit: A prime example of the finest temple rock-cut architecture

Continent: Asia

Country/Region: India

State/Province: Maharashtra

City: Aurangabad