UNESCO World Heritage · 1983
You will find Pride here
Kailasa Temple and tri-faith rock architecture
Smart AI planner
Plan your Ellora Caves journey
Choose the experiences that match your visit — we'll craft a personalised UNESCO heritage itinerary.
No account needed to generate. Create an account to save your itinerary later.
Plan your visit
Practical essentials
Best time: October–March; closed Tuesdays. Plan a full day for Kailasa alone.
Nearby & related
Must-see highlights
- Kailasa Temple (Cave 16)
- Buddhist caves 1–12
- Jain caves 30–34
- Daulatabad day trip
Local flavours
- Naan qalia
- Biryani
- Puran poli at highway dhabas
Travel tips
- Wear sturdy shoes — uneven cave floors.
- Sound-and-light shows run seasonally.
- Combine with Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga nearby.
Gallery
Ellora Caves in focus
Verul · UNESCO 1983
Suggested itinerary
Thirty-four caves carved into a basalt escarpment embody Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain traditions — crowned by the monolithic Kailasa Temple, among the world’s greatest single-rock excavations.
Kailasa Temple (Cave 16)
MORNING
🌅Kailasa Temple (Cave 16)
Monolithic architecture, Ramayana panels, Nandi mandapa
Begin at Ellora’s masterpiece — a multi-storey temple excavated from a single basalt mass. Study the elephant and lion friezes on the base and the soaring vimana above the courtyard.
AFTERNOON
☀️Hindu caves 13–29
Dashavatara, Rameshvara, sculptural density
Walk the Brahmanical sequence where Shiva, Vishnu, and Devi imagery reaches extraordinary refinement. Caves 14 and 15 reward slow viewing.
EVENING
🌇Ellora sound & light (seasonal)
Narrated history, illuminated Kailasa
When operating, the evening show adds drama to the cliff face. Otherwise, dine in Verul village and rest for a second day on site.
Part of Maharashtra's seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites
View all UNESCO sites