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

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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.

Ellora/Verul Caves Open & Close Timings and Entry Fee

Ellora/Verul Caves Opening/ Closing times

DayOpen TimeClose Time
Sunday06: 00 Am6:00 Pm
Monday06: 00 Am6:00 Pm
TuesdayOff
Wednesday06: 00 Am6:00 Pm
Thursday06: 00 Am6:00 Pm
Friday06: 00 Am6:00 Pm
Saturday06: 00 Am6:00 Pm
*Ellora Caves remains closed every Tuesday.

Ellora Caves Entry Fee

Indian citizenOffline Counter Ticket charged₹40 per person.
Online ticket charged₹35 per person.
Citizens of SAARC countriesOffline Counter Ticket charged₹40 per person.
Online ticket charged₹35 per person.
Foreign touristsOffline Counter Ticket charged₹600 per person.
Online ticket charged₹550 per person.
For children aged 0-15 years.There is no entry fee

Book a taxi from Aurangabad to your desired destination.

See the Ajanta & Ellora Caves Online Ticket Booking Process |
औरंगाबाद कि अजंता और एलोरा गुफा कि टिकिट ऑनलाईन बुकिंग प्रोसेस देखे ।

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.

Ellora Caves Map

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

1. Buddhist Caves
Cave No. 01 to 12

2. Hindu Caves
Cave No. 13 to 29

3. Jain Caves
Cave No. 30 to 34

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

Ellora Caves Image
  • 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.
Ellora Caves Image

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

Ellora Caves Image
  • 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

  • COUNTRY
  • STATE
  • DISTRICT
  • TALUKA
  • VILLAGE
  • POST OFFICE
  • PIN CODE
  • INDIA
  • MAHARASHTRA
  • CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR (AURANGABAD)
  • KHULDABAD
  • ELLORA
  • KHULDABAD
  • 431102

How to Reach Ellora Caves?

To visit the Ellora Caves, you first need to come to the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) District of Maharashtra State.

You can reach here in three ways.

  • 1. Air Travel
  • 2. Road Travel
  • 3. Rail Travel

1. Air Travel

Aurangabad Airport is situated here, facilitating flights connecting from Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad to Aurangabad Airport.

Ellora Caves is situated 34.4 km from Aurangabad Airport.

The only mode of transportation to cover this distance is by road.

To reach Ellora Caves, travelers have two options:

  1. Booking a taxi.
  2. Taking an MSRTC bus.
  3. * We suggest you book a taxi to travel from Aurangabad to Ellora Caves as it will save you time.

2. Road Travel

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Central Bus Stand is located at Aurangabad.

Buses come here from all major places in the state (Nagpur, Mumbai, Pune,) and other states (ex.Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Karnataka).

Through which you can enter Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city.

Ellora Caves are situated 31.7 km from the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar bus stand.

To reach Ellora Caves, travelers have two options:

  • a) Booking a taxi.
  • b) Taking an MSRTC bus.
  • * We suggest you book a taxi to travel from Aurangabad to Ellora Caves as it will save you time.

3. Rail Travel

Furthermore, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad-AWB) M.h can also be reached by train, providing travelers with an additional convenient mode of transportation.

Passengers need to purchase tickets for Aurangabad (AWB) station.

Aurangabad railway station is situated between Manmad Junction and Hazur Sahib Nanded railway station.

You plan the train journey accordingly.
Furthermore, since Aurangabad Railway Station is located 31.7 km away from Ellora Caves, travelers can easily access Ellora by road using various transportation options available.

  • a) Booking a taxi.
  • b) Taking an MSRTC bus.
  • * We suggest you book a taxi to travel from Aurangabad to Ellora Caves as it will save you time.

Book Taxi

    Ellora Caves Related FAQ

    Yelganga River flows near Ellora Caves.

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

    Ellora Caves are closed every Tuesday.

    The Ellora Caves served as both a renowned travel destination and a residence for Buddhist and Jain monks. They were constructed as places of worship for the Jain, Hindu, and Buddhist communities, as well as resting places for traders.

    Scholars like Geri Hockfield Malandra have identified three significant building periods in the Ellora caves: an early Hindu phase (~550 to 600 CE), a Buddhist phase (~600 to 730 CE), and a later Hindu and Jain phase (~730 to 950 CE).

    All Ellora monuments were built during the Rashtrakuta dynasty, responsible for the Hindu and Buddhist caves, and the Yadava dynasty, which constructed several of the Jain caves.

    The Ellora caves were built during an early Hindu period (~550 to 600 CE), a Buddhist phase (~600 to 730 CE), and a later Hindu and Jain phase (~730 to 950 CE).

    The Ellora Caves were constructed by carving out the solid rock using simple hand tools like chisels and hammers, initially shaping the summit and then the base.

    Visiting Ellora Caves usually takes about 2 to 3 hours.

    To visit the Ellora Caves, you first need to come to the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) District of Maharashtra State.

    1. Air Travel 2. Road Travel 3. Rail Travel

    To reach Ellora Caves, travelers have two options:

      • a) Booking a taxi.

      • b) Taking an MSRTC bus.

      • * We suggest you book a taxi to travel from Aurangabad to Ellora Caves as it will save you time.

    The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Central Bus Stand is the nearest one to Ellora Caves.

    The Aurangabad (AWB) railway station is the nearest one to Ellora Caves.

    Aurangabad Airport is the nearest airport to Ellora Caves.

    It takes 1 day to visit Ellora Caves, but you need 3 days to explore more places in Aurangabad.

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

    Read More

    We offer taxi services to all the famous historical places in Aurangabad. You can explore attractions like:

    • Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum
    • Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
    • Pitalkhora Caves
    • Kailas Temple
    • Aurangzeb Tomb
    • Khandoba Temple
    • Shree Sai Tekdi
    • Kachner Jain Temple
    • Mhaismal Hill Station
    • H2O Water Park
    • Bhangshi Mata Gad
    • Malik Amber Tomb
    • Shri Rajureshwar Ganapati Rajur
    • Lokuttara Buddha Vihar (Chouka)
    • Prozone Mall
    • Sant Eknath Maharaj Samadhi Mandir
    • Jayakwadi Dam

    we provide a taxi service from Aurangabad city to your destination to visit more places. Take a tour of the historic tourist city with experienced and expert drivers.

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