Ellora Caves is a complex of 34 rock-cut monasteries and temples in Verul village, Maharashtra, extending for more than 2 km along a basalt cliff.
For things to do in Ellora Caves, start by understanding its Buddhist, Hindu and Jain groups, then make Kailasa Temple a focal point of your visit. Ellora is about 23.0 km from Hotel New Bharti in Aurangabad, which offers guest rooms.
- Location: Verul village, Aurangabad district, Maharashtra.
- What you’ll find: 34 monuments from Buddhist, Hindu and Jain traditions.
- Key monument: Kailasa Temple, Cave 16.
Understand Ellora’s cave groups
Ellora’s 34 caves are arranged in Buddhist, Hindu and Jain groups, giving you a clear way to organize what you see. The monuments date from approximately AD 600 to 1000, and the complex was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983.
The Buddhist caves are numbered 1–12. UNESCO dates their excavation to between the 5th and 8th centuries and singles out Cave 10, known as Visvakarma or Carpenter’s Cave, along with Cave 11 and Cave 12, known as Teen Tal.
The Hindu, or Brahmanical, caves occupy numbers 13–29. Their excavation dates to the 7th–10th centuries. The Jain caves, numbered 30–34, are dated to the 9th–12th centuries. Seeing the numbered groups in sequence makes it easier to understand how the site brings different traditions together.
Start with the Kailasa Temple
Kailasa Temple is Cave 16, a monumental rock-cut temple within Ellora’s Hindu group. Starting here gives your visit a clear landmark before you decide how much time to spend among the other caves.
After seeing Cave 16, you can use the cave numbering to continue through the Hindu group or turn your attention to the Buddhist and Jain sections. UNESCO highlights Buddhist Caves 10, 11 and 12, so they are useful points to keep in mind when planning which parts of the wider complex to prioritize.
For the journey from Aurangabad, the Aurangabad to Ellora Caves route and day-trip planning guide covers that trip.
Walking between the caves
The cave groups extend for more than 2 km along a basalt cliff, so plan your visit around the spread of the monuments rather than treating them as a single stop. The numbered groups provide a practical way to break up the site: Buddhist caves 1–12, Hindu caves 13–29, then Jain caves 30–34.
Choose your priorities before you arrive if you have limited time, with Kailasa Temple and the notable Buddhist caves among the landmarks described above. A Maharashtra Tourism brochure also names Ghrishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Daulatabad Fort, Panchakki, Bibi ka Maqbara, Ajanta Caves and the Gandhi Research Foundation as attractions in the region.
Ghrishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is one nearby stop named in that brochure; the guide to Grishneshwar Temple near Ellora focuses on visiting it.
Visitor facilities and access
You can reach Ellora by bus, taxi or private vehicle, with transport available from Aurangabad’s main railway and bus stations. Allow for the site’s spread along the cliff when deciding how to divide your visit among the cave groups.
What to check before your visit
Ellora’s opening hours are 6:00 AM–6:00 PM. The weekly closure day is not confirmed, so check the official site before you go for current hours, closure information and entry arrangements.
Use the cave numbering to set a realistic priority list, and confirm transport and access details before leaving Aurangabad. That keeps the plan focused on the monuments you want to see without assuming a visit duration or current ticket rules.
FAQs
Where are Ellora Caves?
Ellora Caves is in Verul village, Aurangabad district, Maharashtra. The complex extends along a basalt cliff.
How many caves are at Ellora?
The complex has 34 rock-cut monasteries and temples: Buddhist caves 1–12, Hindu caves 13–29 and Jain caves 30–34.
Which cave is Kailasa Temple?
Kailasa Temple is Cave 16, within the Hindu cave group.
What are Ellora Caves’ opening hours?
Opening hours are 6:00 AM–6:00 PM. Confirm the weekly closure day before travelling.