Ellora Caves is one of the largest rock-cut cave monuments in the world. Located 30 km from Chatrapathi Sambaji Nagar (earlier Aurangabad), Ellora’s UNESCO World Heritage site consists of 34 cave monuments. Unlike the Ajanta Caves, the Ellora Caves contain sculptures and paintings from Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain cultures.
This blog explains the important caves you shouldn’t miss during your visit to Ellora and gives a quick overview of their history.
Must Visit Ellora Caves with Pictures
Table of Contents
Caves Overview
- Limited Sculptures or Paintings: Caves 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 17, 18, 19A, 22-28
- Closed for visitors – Caves 7, 13, 20
- Paintings found: Caves 16, 32, 34
The table below discusses the century in which the caves were built and by whom. It also classifies the caves according to religion to better understand the sculptures.
| 12 Buddhist Caves | Caves 1-12 | 6-8 Century | Built by the Chalukya and Rashtrakuta dynasties |
| 17 Hindu Caves | Caves 13-29 | 6-8 Century | Built by the Kalachuri and Rashtrakuta dynasties |
| 5 Jain Caves | Caves 30-34 | 9-11 Century | Built by the Rashtrakuta and Yadava dynasties |
Important Caves of Ellora
Ellora Cave 2
Cave 2 is an 8th-century AD Buddhist monastery decorated inside and outside with sculptures of Lord Buddha in different postures and the deities of the Buddhist pantheon. Large sculptures of Bodhisattvas guard the doors of the hall and the sanctum. The hall has twelve decorative pillars, which endow it with a majestic appearance. The sanctum houses Lord Buddha seated on a lion throne in a preaching posture, flanked by bejeweled Bodhisattvas.
Ellora Cave 10 – Vishvakarma Cave
Cave 10 is a double-storied Buddhist monastery and the only Chaitya Griha at Ellora Cave. It dates back to the 7th century AD.
The most remarkable features of this cave are the Music Gallery on the upper floor and the beautifully carved facade. From this music gallery, background music was played to the monks chanting mantras below. The facade is decorated with several friezes of animals and couples and a beautifully carved window that allows light into the cave. Although the upper floor is accessible for visitors by a flight of steps, entry to the music gallery is restricted.
The spacious hall on the ground floor is apsidal. It has thirty pillars arranged in an elongated apse. The stupa contains a 15-foot seated Buddha in a preaching pose, flanked by two Bodhisattvas and celestial couples. The ribbed vault echoes any sound created in the hall.
Ellora Cave 12 – Teen Tal
Cave 12 is a massive three-storied Buddhist monastery dating back to the 8th century AD. The first floor has a pillared hall, an antechamber, and a sanctum with cells. The sanctum features Lord Buddha in a preaching posture on a lotus throne. The walls of the sanctum have panels of Pancha-Dnyani Buddhas and “Eight-Bodhisativa-Mandal.” The antechamber features carvings of the 12 Buddhist goddesses.
The second floor contains a pillared verandah, a pillared hall, a sanctum with an antechamber, and a series of cells. The central figure of the sanctum is a breathtaking panel of Buddhist devotee Sujata offering Kheer to Lord Buddha, who is seated in an earth-touching posture. Seven mortal Buddhas and eight Bodhisattva Mandals were also carved on the wall. All sculptures have been plastered and painted.
The third floor is laid out on a similar plan and is more of a sculptural gallery than a prayer hall. The hall’s walls are decorated with huge Buddha figures flanked by Bodhisattvas and flying figures. One of the walls of this floor is decorated with a panel of eleven Buddhas with foliage and umbrellas over their heads.
Ellora Cave 14 – Ravan Ki Khai
The cave got its name because it houses a sculpture of Ravana shaking the Kailasa mountain. The hall’s walls are scooped into several compartments, each containing sculptures featuring scenes from the Hindu Mythology.
The panels show the Vaishnava theme on one side and the Saiva theme on the other, representing religious harmony. One side of the hall’s wall also contains a panel of the seven divine mothers, suggesting the prevalence of the worship of the divine female. The sanctum doors are flanked by gigantic guards and goddesses.
Ellora Cave 15 – Dasavatara Cave
Various incarnations of Lord Vishnu are depicted here, lending its name to Dasavatara Cave. This two-storeyed excavated temple dates back to the 8th century AD. The ground floor lacks sculptures, while the upper floor is dedicated to Lords Shiva and Vishnu.
The rock-cut gateway leads to a courtyard on a small raised square hall called Natya Mandapa (Hall of Dance). It features the famous inscription of Dantidurga, a Rashtrakut ruler (758-756 AD).
The sanctum door is very ornately carved and guarded by two huge doorkeepers. In the huge pillared hall, a majestically seated Nandi (a bull, the divine vehicle of Lord Shiva) is. The northern wall sculptures follow the Shaivite theme, while those on the southern side follow Vaishnavism.
Ellora Cave 16 – Kailasha Temple
The most celebrated and unique among all the caves at Ellora is cave 16 – the Kailasha temple. It is one of our favorite caves as well. You shouldn’t miss visiting Cave 16, located right at the front of the entrance.
This special cave has so many special features that it deserves a separate blog. So, we have written all about Ellora Cave 16 with extensive pictures for you. Make sure to give it a read.
Ellora Cave 21 – Rameshwar Lena
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Cave 21 was excavated in the 7th century AD. It has a courtyard and a hall with sculptured pillars on either side and inside, a Shiva linga.
The courtyard is massive and decorated with figures of gods and goddesses. The richly carved pillars, elaborately carved doorframe, massive figures, and sculptured chapels make this cave a must-visit. River goddesses Ganga and Yamuna, representing two significant Indian rivers carved outside the cave, are masterpieces of Ellora’s Art.
Ellora Cave 29 – Dhumar Lena
Locally known as “Dhumar-Lena” or “Site-ki-Kahani,” after a beautifully cut figure of river goddess Yamuna mistakenly named Sita. The cave is dedicated to Lord Shiva and impresses visitors with its sheer massiveness and enormous sculptures of figures. The carvings in this cave are larger than life-size.
The temple, dating back to the 8th century AD, has a unique ground plan. The 26 fluted pillars with the corresponding pilasters support the whole structure. The hall is entered through three South, North, and West porticos, respectively. The walls of the portico and verandah are carved with beautiful sculptures. The figures are proportionately shaped and have beautiful hairdos, fine-thin drapery, and striking ornaments.
The sanctum, which contains a Shiva linga in the back wing of the cave, has four entrances facing the cardinal directions. Huge doorkeepers accompanied by female attendants guard each side. The doorkeeper sculptures are very tall, reaching almost the roof of the cave.
During monsoon, the water from the nearby stream cascades down on the eastern side of the cave, offering a fantastic view of the waterfall from the eastern balcony. The area remains dry during the summer season.
Ellora Cave 30 – Chhota Kailash
Cave 30 is called Chhota Kailash or Little Kailash due to its similarity to Cave 16 or the Kailasa Temple. It features two larger-than-life-size reliefs of dancing Indra, one with eight arms and another with twelve in various mudras, both adorned with ornaments and a crown. However, the center of the temple is more aligned with the core ideas of Jainism.
The overlap between Jain and Hindu mythologies has caused confusion about whether the temple is originally Jain or Hindu.
Ellora Cave 32 – Indra Sabha
This double-storeyed cave temple is dedicated to the Digambar sect of Jainism, dating to the 10th -11th century AD. The temple is locally known as Indra-sabha because the Matanga figure was mistakenly identified with Indra.
The gateway leads to an open courtyard housing a monolithic elephant and a huge monolithic pillar. The pillar, with images on top, represents the glory of the Jain religion in all four directions (see first featured image).
The ground floor contains a verandah flanked by chapels, a large hall, an antechamber, and a sanctum. The chapels in the verandah feature a statue of Lord Mahavira, and the walls are decorated with sculptures of Jain deities. Inside the small sanctum, Lord Mahavira is seated on a lion’s throne with fly whisk-bearers on both sides and umbrellas over his head.
The upper floor consists of a big verandah, a pillared hall, and a sanctum. The walls of the verandah have huge and beautiful sculptures of Matanga (the God of wealth) and Ambica (the Goddess of Prosperity).
The whole upper floor is a sculptural picture gallery containing pillars filled with various designs. The walls are decorated with sculptures, and the entire cave is painted. The sanctum features Lord Mahavira and Jain deities guarding the door.
Ellora Cave 33 – Jagannatha Sabha
Jagganatha Sabha or Jagannatha (Lord of the World) Cave Temple is a double-storied temple dedicated to the Digambara sect of Jainism and dates to the 10th -11th centuries AD. The lower floor consists of a verandah, a pillared hall, an antechamber, and a sanctum.
The verandah is decorated with a sculpture of Matanga (God of Wealth) and Siddhaika (Goddess of Prosperity). While the hall wall is covered with sculptures of Jain deities, the sanctum houses Lord Mahavira on a lion’s throne in a meditative pose. The pillar designs are striking and are distinguished by their perfect finish and meticulous precision.
The upper floor is very beautifully carved and painted. It consists of a verandah flanked by chapels, a big-pillared hall, and a sanctum on the rear wall. The hall has twelve decorative pillars decorated with Tirthankara panels and wall paintings.
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