Okay so here’s the thing. If Ajanta was the quiet poet who paints feelings on a wall, Ellora is the gym bro who lifts an entire mountain and says, “Art, architecture, religion? I got you covered.”
Located just 30 km from Aurangabad, Ellora Caves is what happens when devotion meets engineering ambition and says, “Let’s go full-send.”
Start of the Journey – One Rickshaw, Two Bananas & Zero Expectations
Left Aurangabad early because the internet told me Ellora opens at 6am. Reached by 7:15am because my auto guy insisted we stop for banana fritters and chai halfway. No complaints — the chai was actually 10/10.
Entry fee paid. Camera charged. Sunscreen slapped. Let the rock-and-roll begin.
The Basics – What Is Ellora and Why Is It Screaming With Greatness?
So Ellora isn’t just one thing. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 34 caves, representing 3 major religions:
• Buddhism (Caves 1–12)
• Hinduism (Caves 13–29)
• Jainism (Caves 30–34)
Carved between the 6th and 10th century, directly into the Charanandri hills, the whole thing is basically an open-air spiritual museum where monks, kings, artists, and maybe some overachievers decided to chisel the universe into stone.
First Stop – Kailasa Temple (Cave 16): The Main Character
You walk into the complex, and BAM — Cave 16. The Kailasa Temple. It’s not just a cave. It’s the largest monolithic rock-cut temple in the world.
One single mountain.
Carved top to bottom.
120+ feet high.
All hand tools.
No cement.
No second chances.
It was commissioned by King Krishna I of the Rashtrakuta dynasty. Legend says it took 7,000 laborers over 20 years to complete. And honestly? Worth every chisel. There’s an actual bridge carved between temple spires. Intricate elephant carvings. Giant Nandis. Pillars, halls, shrines. You enter feeling human, you exit feeling irrelevant.
Also: I tried taking a selfie with the whole thing in frame. Gave up. Just stood there awkwardly while pigeons judged me.
Hindu Caves (13–29) – Drama, Detailing, Divine Chaos
These caves are the action-packed blockbusters.
Cave 15 (Dashavatara Cave) – tells stories of Lord Vishnu’s ten avatars. So detailed, I stood
there reading carvings like they were comic panels.
Cave 21 (Rameshwar Cave) – has sculptures of Shiva and Parvati chilling, and some demon-
bashing action scenes. These aren’t just religious icons — they’re full-on narratives.
And then there’s Cave 29 (Dhumar Lena) – with massive pillars and an energy that made me feel
like a guest in someone else's very sacred living room.
Jain Caves (30–34) – Small But Spiritually Intense
Quieter and more refined, these caves feature elegant designs, detailed carvings of Tirthankaras,
and calm as their brand.
Cave 32 (Indra Sabha) has a stunning lotus ceiling and multi-level carvings. Fewer tourists here,
so take your time. Sit. Breathe. Reboot your brain.
Heat Alert – Don’t Try to See All Caves in One Go
By 1pm, the sun was actively trying to roast my scalp. I had explored 22 caves and was walking like a 98-year-old monk.
If you try to “cover” Ellora in one go, you’ll burn out. Best strategy?
• Start early
• Pick a few must-see caves
• Take breaks under trees
• Hydrate. Constantly.
Hungry? Go Here: Tandoor Restaurant & Bar, Aurangabad
After 6 hours of stone, dust, and divinity, I went straight to:
Tandoor Restaurant & Bar
Near Kranti Chowk, Aurangabad
What to eat:
• Tandoori Chicken (crispy skin, juicy inside)
• Paneer Lazeez (for the vegetarians)
• Butter Naan (just trust me)
Great food. Cold AC. Spiritual recovery achieved.
Pro Tips – Learn From My Mistakes
• Wear shoes with grip. Smooth stone + sweat = slip zone.
• Skip Mondays. Ellora is closed.
• Camera ticket is separate. ₹25 extra — worth it.
• No guides? No problem. Use the ASI app or scan QR codes.
• Don't rush Kailasa Temple. Spend at least an hour just here.
How to Reach Ellora Caves
By Air
Nearest Airport: Aurangabad Airport (~35 km)
By Train
Nearest Station: Aurangabad Railway Station
By Road
• Aurangabad → Ellora: ~30 km (via NH52)
• State transport buses, autos, and taxis easily available
• If you're feeling fancy, book a day tour cab
Timings & Entry
• Open: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Closed: Every Tuesday
• Entry Fee: ₹40 (Indians), ₹600 (Foreigners), ₹25 (Camera), Free for kids under 15
Final Thoughts – The Mountains Remember
Ellora isn’t something you “visit.” It’s something you walk through, stare at, and quietly respect.
You come here thinking it’s just history. But you leave with dust in your shoes, a camera full of wonder, and one question: “Did people really do this with just hammers and hope?”
With Nadodigal, history isn’t just past. It’s personal. It’s dusty. It’s divine. And it’s got killer food nearby.
