ellora caves

Several inscriptions at Ellora range from 6th century to 15th century. The best known of them is an inscription of Rashtrakuta Dantidurga (c. 753 57 A.D.) on the back wall of the front mandapa of Cave 15, which gives an account of his conquests. Inscriptions on the Kailash temple itself range from 9th to 15th century. Jain cave Jagannatha Sabha has 3 inscriptions that give the names of monks and donors. A Parshvanth temple on the hill has a 11th century inscription that gives the name of the donor from Vardhanapura.The Great Kailasa (Cave 16) is attributed to Krishna I (c. 757 83 A.D.), the successor and uncle of Dantidurga. A copper plate grant by Karka II (c. 812 13 A.D.) narrates that a great edifice was built on a hill by Krishnaraja at Elapura (Ellora).The Ellora caves, unlike Ajanta, were never lost. There have been several written records that indicate that these caves were visited regularly. The earliest is that of the Arab geographer Al Masudi of the 10th century A.D. In 1352 A.D. Sultan Hasan Gangu Bahmani, who camped at the site and visited the caves. The others are by Firishta, Thevenot (163367), Niccolao Manucci (1653 1708), Charles Warre Malet (1794), and Seely (1824)

By Air
The nearest airport (which is a domestic airport) from these caves is situated in Aurangabad (15 kms) and can be reached directly from Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and Udaipur.
By Rail
Aurangabad is the nearest railway station on South Central Railway Line, about 30 kms from Ellora.
By Road
Aurangabad is a major city of Maharashtra, therefore it is well connected by road. To reach Ellora Caves tourists should take a taxi from Aurangabad. There are State buses run from Mumbai, Pune, Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Shirdi, Nasik, Dhule, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Indore and Bijapur to Aurangabad.
Cave Timings
9.00AM to 17.30PM Indian Standard Time (IST)
Ellora Caves remain closed on Tuesday. CAVES REMAIN OPEN ON ALL NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
Cave Charges
For Indians below 15 years FREE of Charge
For Indians above 15 years Rs. 10/ per head
For Foreigners above 15 years US $5 or equivalent in Indian rupees per head
For Photo Camera/ Video Camera Rs. 5/ (Camera to be used without flash)

Ghrishneshwar Temple
About half a kilometer from Ellora is the Ghrishneshwar Temple, which was built in the 18th century. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India and a place that one must visit in order to make the pilgrimage to the Jyotirlingas complete. This beautiful temple has 24 exquisitely carved stone columns, which support the main hall.
Shahji Raje Bhosle Memorial
This is the site of the ancestral home of King Chatrapati Shivaji Maharajs father and grandfather at Ellora. This is under the State Archaeology Department.
Lakshyavinayak Temple
This is the site of the 21 most revered Ganapati temples of Maharashtra at Ellora.
Shivalaya Shrine (Ahilyabai Holkar Kund)
Shavadal Baba Shrine
Parsavanath Jain Temple
Located on the back side hill of Ellora caves is now a cave converted into a regular worship place for jains. Originally a part of the Ellora group of caves.
Vishwakarma Temple
Takaswami Datta Temple
Shri Jagatguru Janardhan Swami (Maungiri Maharaj) Temple
Chagoba Temple

The four day Ellora Ajanta Festival is usually held at Soneri Mahal (Golden Palace), an historic 17th century architectural marvel in Aurangabad near Ellora, in the last week of November each year. The festival features some of the most distinguished singers and dancers of India. Note The festival recommenced in January 2014 after a three year absence.

The Hotel Kailas is located right opposite the Ellora caves. Its a relaxing, tranquil place with stone walls and a scenic landscape. Rates are 900 rupees ($20) for a hostel room, 1500 rupees ($35) for a cottage, and 2000 rupees ($50) for a cottage facing the caves. The hotel has plenty of amenities for guests including a restaurant, internet access, a library and games. You can also go paragliding.

Quality accommodations at Ajanta are limited so if you need to stay in the area, its best to head to the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporations Holiday Resort in nearby Fardapur.

The best time to visit Ellora Caves is during the months of October to February (winter season) and from June to September (monsoon season), these are the best time to visit Ellora Caves, as the weather is really pleasant during these months.Although March, April and May are holiday season (most of the school & colleges are shut downs during these months) in India, but the temperature is really high during these months i.e. between 37

There are public & private buses from Aurangabad to Ellora Caves. Alternative you can hire private car, there are plenty of tour operator you can choose from. The drive from Aurangabad to Ellora takes 1 2 hours.

Aurangabad Railway station is nearest to Ellora Caves, there are a plenty of private car services you can hire or you can avail the bus service from railway station to the caves.

The nearest airport is at Aurangabad, 30 kms away from Ellora Caves. Aurangabad has a good national airport, which is well connected to major cities like Mumbai, Delhi & Hyderabad.

Ellora is an ancient village 30 km (18.6 miles) from the city of Aurangabad in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Famous for its monumental caves, Ellora is a World Heritage Site.Ellora represents the epitome of Indian rock cut architecture. The 34 caves actually structures excavated out of the vertical face of the Charanandri hills comprised of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain cave temples and monasteries, were built between the 5th century and 10th century. The 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu and 5 Jain caves, built in close proximity, demonstrate the religious tolerance prevalent during this period of Indian history.