Ellora
A Mountain Carved into a Temple
Overview
Ellora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Maharashtra, about 30 km from Aurangabad, comprising 34 rock-cut caves carved between roughly the 6th and 10th centuries CE. Uniquely, its Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments sit side by side, a rare record of religious coexistence. Its centrepiece is the Kailasa temple (Cave 16), the largest single monolithic rock excavation on earth, carved top-down from one basalt cliff under the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I. The Grishneshwar temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, stands close by. MyTripMyTravel runs Ellora as an escorted early-entry heritage excursion from an Aurangabad base, with a chauffeured air-conditioned fleet.
Ellora is where a mountain was turned into architecture. Cut into a two-kilometre basalt escarpment, its 34 caves span roughly four centuries of continuous excavation, and unlike almost any other site in the world, they hold Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments in a single unbroken line, a physical record of the Deccan's religious plurality.
The Kailasa temple, Cave 16, is the reason Ellora is unforgettable. It was not built but excavated, carved downward and inward from the top of a single rock face, removing an estimated 200,000 tonnes of basalt to leave a full multi-storey temple to Shiva complete with courtyards, gateways, elephants, and towers. Commissioned under the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I in the 8th century, it remains the largest monolithic structure ever carved.
Ellora is best treated as a focused half-day from Aurangabad, and it rewards a dawn arrival. MyTripMyTravel arranges escorted early entry before the coach crowds, a chauffeured air-conditioned transfer, and a natural pairing with the nearby Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga temple and the Daulatabad Fort on the road back.
At a glance
Ellora in brief
When to visit
October to March
October to March offers cool, comfortable conditions for exploring the caves on foot, with soft light that flatters the carvings. Arriving at opening avoids both the midday heat and the coach parties. April to June brings intense Deccan heat above 40°C, making a dawn visit essential. The monsoon (July to September) surrounds the escarpment in green and sends seasonal waterfalls over the cliff near the Kailasa temple, striking, but with the risk of heavy rain interrupting the visit.
Things to do
Experiences in Ellora
Kailasa temple (Cave 16)
The world's largest monolithic rock excavation, an entire multi-storey Shiva temple carved top-down from one basalt cliff.
Buddhist caves (1 to 12)
Monasteries and prayer halls including the multi-storey Cave 12 (Tin Thal) and the vaulted Cave 10 Vishvakarma.
Hindu caves (13 to 29)
Dynamic panels of Shiva, Vishnu, and Durga, including the dramatic sculpture of Ravana shaking Mount Kailasa.
Jain caves (30 to 34)
The refined, intricately carved Indra Sabha and Jagannatha Sabha at the site's northern end.
Grishneshwar Temple
One of the twelve sacred Jyotirlinga shrines to Shiva, minutes from the caves.
Escarpment viewpoint
The clifftop vantage revealing how the Kailasa temple was quarried out of the living rock.
Getting there
How to reach Ellora
Aurangabad Airport (IXU), about 30 km away, is the nearest gateway with domestic connections to Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad.
Aurangabad railway station is the nearest railhead; we handle the onward transfer to the caves.
A smooth 45-minute drive from Aurangabad, the standard MyTripMyTravel chauffeured leg for the Ellora excursion.
Our air-conditioned, orthopedic-grade fleet runs the round trip with an escort and comfort stops, timed for early entry.
Where to stay
Five-star hotels in Aurangabad, the practical base for Ellora, with pools and full concierge care.
Character properties in Aurangabad reflecting the region's Mughal and Nizam past.
Quiet landscaped resorts on the Aurangabad to Ellora road, positioned for dawn cave departures.
Where to eat
A regional vegetarian thali of bhakri, zunka, and seasonal vegetables at a simple restaurant near the caves.
The base city's signature slow-cooked mutton dish with soft naan, arranged for the evening after the caves.
Aromatic Aurangabadi biryani reflecting the region's Nizam-era kitchens, privately arranged back in the city.
Good to know
Ellora, your questions
Is Ellora worth visiting if I have already seen Ajanta?
Yes, they are very different. Ajanta is famed for painted murals, Ellora for monumental sculpture and the Kailasa temple. Serious travellers see both, on separate days, from an Aurangabad base.
How long does Ellora take?
A focused half-day covers the highlights, led by the Kailasa temple. With Grishneshwar and Daulatabad added on the return, it comfortably fills a full day.
When is Ellora closed?
Ellora is closed on Tuesdays. Our planners build itineraries around this so the excursion always lands on an open day.
How was the Kailasa temple built?
It was carved, not built, excavated downward from the top of a single basalt cliff in the 8th century under the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I, removing an estimated 200,000 tonnes of rock.
Where do I stay to visit Ellora?
Aurangabad, about 30 km away, is the base city with the full range of luxury and heritage hotels; Ellora itself is an excursion rather than an overnight stop.
Is a lot of walking involved?
Yes, the site spreads along a cliff with steps and uneven ground. We pace the visit, provide an escort, and keep the air-conditioned fleet close for rests between cave clusters.
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