Ellora Caves: Situated, History, Timings, Entry, Architecture, Images & More Detailed information

Table of Contents.

• Ellora/Verul Caves Open & Close Timings and Entry Fee
• History of Ellora Caves
• Architecture of Ellora Caves
• Where is Ellora Caves situated?
• How to Reach Aurangabad Ellora Caves?
• Ellora Caves Image
• Ajanta Caves Related FAQ
• Historical places in Aurangabad.

History of Ellora Caves

The Ellora Caves, carved between the 5th and 10th centuries, are nestled within the conglomerate rock of the Satmala mountain range within the Sahyadri range.

Here, we can explore 34 caves.

It offers unique views of art, sculpture, and architecture from the eras of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

In 1951, the Government of India formally designated these Ellora caves as a ‘National Monument,’ consequently transferring them to the Archaeological Department of the Government of India for preservation and maintenance purposes.

In 1983, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) included the Ellora Caves in the list of World Heritage Sites to preserve this heritage based on cultural information.

In 1983, along with the Ellora Caves, the Ajanta Caves, the Taj Mahal in Agra, and the Agra Fort were declared World Heritage Sites for the reason that they provide cultural information.

Architecture of Ellora Caves

If we consider the architectural style, you can see this different architectural style here. Virupaksha Temple in Karnataka and Kailasanatha Temple in Kanchipuram have similar architectural styles.

There are 34 caves in Ellora Caves which are divided into three parts.

1. Buddhist Caves (Cave No. 01 to 12)

• In the southern part of Ellora Caves you find Buddhist Caves No. 01 to 12.
• Considering these caves, the entire caves are carved in this rock.
• This includes Chaitya-griha which was used as a place of worship for Buddhist monks.
• There is a meditation idol of Gautama Buddha, on the wall there are carved figures of Dhammachakra Buddha and Buddhist Vibhuti idols from Emperor Ashoka’s time on the wall.
• Ellora Buddha caves display sculptures of animals like elephants and snakes, representing Buddhist elements.
• On the ceiling of the caves, lotus-shaped paintings are carved in color in stone.
• Viharas were built as residences for bhikkhus. You can see structures like kitchens, bathrooms, restrooms, etc.

2. Hindu Caves (Cave No. 13 to 29)

• Right in front of the Ellora Caves in the central part of the entrance you get to see the Hindu Caves section.
• Sculptures of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh deities are found in Cave No. 15.
• Along with them, we get to see Dasi women, Nrityagini women, and the sculpture of Lord Shiva in Tandava dance art.
• Among the Hindu caves, the most significant is cave number 16, known as the Kailash cave. Notably, this cave stands out for its architectural grandeur and intricate carvings.

3. Jain Caves (Cave No. 30 to 34)

• Five of the caves are Jain caves.
• In the northern part of the Ellora Caves, there are the Jain Caves.
• We can observe the architectural influence of the Buddhist caves on the Jain caves.
• Given the striking resemblance between the carvings in the Buddha and Jain caves, scholars propose a shared architectural influence.
• The Jain cave houses a sculptured mudra and prayer hall of the 23rd Jain Tirthankara, Parshvanatha.

Where is Ellora Caves situated?

Ellora Caves are situated (located) near Ellora village in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) district of Maharashtra state, India.

The Ellora Caves are located in the Satmala Range hill of the Sahyadri mountain range

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