Ellora Caves — Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Thirty-four caves. Three faiths. Fifteen hundred years of continuous carving — and one temple that stopped the world.
Description:
The Kailasa Temple at Ellora — Cave 16 — is the largest monolithic rock-cut structure in the world. Twice the size of the Parthenon in Athens, carved entirely from a single basalt cliff, built top-down by an estimated 7,000 labourers over 150 years between 757 and 773 AD. There is no scaffolding, no assembly — just the removal of 400,000 tonnes of rock from above, carving downward into the earth until a complete temple complex stood inside the mountain.
The Ellora Caves are 34 in total — Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain — spanning five centuries of excavation from roughly the 5th to 10th centuries AD. What makes Ellora extraordinary is not just the scale but the coexistence: three of India’s major religious traditions, each carving their greatest monuments into the same cliff face within sight of each other.
This guided tour takes you through the complete complex with an expert guide who brings the architectural, historical, and religious depth alive — from the earliest Buddhist viharas to the Hindu masterpiece of Kailasa to the serene Jain caves of the northern end.
What You’ll See:
- Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) — the masterpiece, largest monolithic structure in the world
- Ravana lifting Kailash relief — one of the finest sculptures in Indian art
- Narasimha/Hiranyakashipu carving — Dashavatara Cave
- Buddhist Viharas — Caves 1-12, three-storey rock-cut monastery
- Tin Thal (Cave 12) — three-storey Buddhist cave with exceptional sculptures
- Jain Caves (Caves 30-34) — Indra Sabha, the finest Jain cave temple in India
Pricing:
| Group Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 4+ persons | ₹7,000/person |
| 2-3 persons | ₹8,250/person |
| 1 person | ₹14,500 |
Details:
| 📍 Location | Ellora, Maharashtra (30 minutes from Aurangabad) |
| ⏱ Duration | 6 hours |
| 🕗 Pickup | 9:00 AM from Aurangabad hotel |
| 🕓 Drop | 3:00 PM back to hotel |
| 🚗 Transport | Private AC vehicle with hotel pickup and drop |
| 🗣 Language | English |
| 🍽 Meals | Indian vegetarian lunch included |
| ⭐ Recognition | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
What’s Included:
- Full guided tour of the Ellora Caves complex
- Private AC vehicle with hotel pickup and drop from Aurangabad
- Experienced local guide
- All entrance charges
- Indian vegetarian lunch
What’s Not Included:
- Personal travel insurance
- Tips
- Any personal expenses
Cancellation Policy:
Full refund if cancelled 24 hours or more before the tour start time. No refund within 24 hours of departure.
Muussaafirr 