Ellora Caves
AurangabadUNESCO World Heritage Site
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Overview
Featuring Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments, Ellora Caves are a stunning rock-cut temple complex with 34 monasteries and temples. It takes about an hour by road to reach Ellora from Aurangabad. The UNESCO website says that Ellora 'illustrates the spirit of tolerance that was characteristic of ancient India'.
Suggested Duration - 3-4 hours
What To Expect?
Witness marvellous craftsmanship at these multi religious caves that jut out of ancient rocks, marvel at the architectural genius of the Kailash Temple and be awestruck by stories of a flourishing Indian civilization that dates back to AD 600 - 1000.
Tips
- Be a responsible tourist and do not vandalise the ancient sites.
- The surroundings provide for some unique backgrounds which you can put to good use in photography sessions.
- Abstain from using plastic, as it is a sensitive zone and demands utmost precaution with so many tourists flocking here every day.
About Ellora Caves Overview: A Visit to the Impressive Rock-Cut Cave Temples
Most popularly known as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ellora Caves, Aurangabad, is a unique ancient temple with rock-cut architecture. It is a complex which has about 100 caves, marked by numbers for identification and is reminiscent of coherent religious sentiments from Buddhism, Jainism and Brahmanism practiced during ancient times. The sculptures and intricate carvings of the caves remind one of a rich and prosperous past with advanced artistic capabilities. It is a prime example of the rock cut architectural style of India.
| Ellora Caves is famous for | Rock cut architecture, ancient relics, unique monastic temple complex, Kailasa Temple, the largest monolithic excavation, UNESCO World Heritage Site, illustrations from ancient Buddhism, Brahmanism and Jainism |
|---|---|
| Ellora Caves Timings | 6.00 am to 6.00 pm (Closed on Tuesdays) |
| Ellora Caves Best Time to Visit | From June to March |
| Ellora Caves Ticket Price | Ellora Caves entry fee is INR 40 for Indians and SAARC countries visitors; INR 600 for foreign visitors |
| Required Time | 3 to 4 hours |
| Popular Nearby Places | Grishneshwar Temple, Mughal Silk Bazaar, Aurangzeb�s Tomb, Ajanta Caves, Daulatabad Fort, Bhadra Maruti Temple, Valley of the Sufi Saints |
History and Architectural Facts About Ellora Caves
Some top facts related to Ellora Caves� history and architecture are listed below.
- The Ellora Caves history marks their presence about 400 years.
- Different parts of the caves were cut out of hills and mountains during different dynasties that ruled here, like the Buddhist caves during the Rashtrakutas and the Jain caves during the Yadavas dynasty rule.
- The cave carvings date back from the 6th to the 12th centuries.
- The Ellora caves are an impressive collection of architectural geniuses, comprising various topologies and techniques, with Ellora Caves height adding a touch of elegance.
- They stand as a unique amalgamation of two architectural styles, the rock-cut and the free-standing structures.
- You can find different architectural features in these caves, ranging from the simplest layouts to ornate doors, shafts, enclosed mandapas and open porches.
Things to Check Out at Ellora Caves
Some top temple features and architectures to visit and explore in the Ellora Caves, Aurangabad, include -
- Buddhist Monasteries
The caves marked 1 to 12 feature Buddhist Monasteries. Some of these have multi-storeyed buildings and feature unique sculptures and paintings of different poses of Gautam Buddha. - Hindu Temples
Caves numbered 13 to 29 feature various popular Hindu Temples. The famous monolith-cut Kailasa Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is marked as Cave 16. Other significant cave temples of Ellora are Dasavatara, Rameswara and Dumar Lena. - Jain Shrines
The Jain Shrines are marked under caves 30 to 34 and are known for some of the finest paintings and delicate wall sculptures.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions about Ellora Caves
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