Republic Day at Ellora Dance Festival

Instead of sleeping in this Republic Day, pack your bags for a rich cultural experience in Maharashtra. Head to the famous Ajanta and Ellora caves to see famous folk and classical artists from all over the country performing in front of the beautiful Sonehri Mahal.

The Ellora Dance Festival is a way to pay tribute to these beautiful caves laden with centuries of history and folklore. Watch dancers in vibrant attire perform elegantly on soul embracing music against the majestic backdrop of the Ellora caves. The UNESCO World Heritage Site along with its equally famous cousin, the Ajanta caves are tourist hot spots.

Spanning across six centuries (from 5^th to 11^th), the Ellora caves represent different faiths including Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Sculptures and paintings depicting the respective cultures and lifestyles can be spotted at the caves. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the famous statue at the Kailash Temple, which took over 150 years to build, is the largest monolithic structure in the world.

Plan a short getaway to these caves and while you soak in the rich architecture, art and history of the caves during the day, spend the evening watching grace and beauty come alive with the dance performances. Certainly a day well spent!

The best way to reach Ellora is to take a flight to Aurangabad a beautiful and culturally rich Maharashtrian city just 30 kilometres away. You can then hire a taxi to Ellora. For other permutations and combinations of your route to the caves, check out MakeMyTrip’s Routeplanner.

If you do not want to leave the breathtaking environs of Ellora even after the festival, spend the night in a comfortable hotel in Aurangabad and come back for some day time trekking and adventure in the Sahyadri Hills. Situated around 107 kilometres from Aurangabad, the Ajanta Caves are equally popular and in fact older than the Ellora Caves. Built with just a chisel and hammer, these caves date back to 2^nd century BC. Some of the best paintings and carvings can be seen in these temples.

Continue your rendezvous with the culture of Maharashtra in Aurangabad, a city that breathes history. Bibi ka Maqbara, Aurangabad’s very own Taj Mahal, is the largest draw of the city. Another architectural masterpiece is Daulatabad Fort. After exploring the forts and monuments, head to the local markets to get lost amidst the vibrant  authentic silk sarees  that make for an excellent takeaway from Aurangabad.

After a day of extensive shopping and exploring, what better to end it than with a delicious meal? Relish the rich flavours of spice and mutton at a number of local restaurants. When it comes to sweets, rich jalebis and refreshing paans aren’t to be missed in Auranagabad. I recommend Tara Pans, for an extensive paan menu where the most expensive variety can set you back a few thousands!

Return home completely soaked in Indian culture and history - the perfect way to celebrate Republic Day. Are you ready? Plan your trip here.

Book through your mobile to enjoy Special Republic Day offers on domestic flight, hotel and bus bookings with MakeMyTrip.com!

Check the Maharashtra Tourism calendar as the dates change every year!