A place for exploration and celebration.
The Ellora Caves in Maharashtra, India consists of 34 rock temples and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. There are 12 Buddhist caves, 17 Hindu temples and 5 Jain temples. The Hindu caves are adorned with intricate designs while the Buddhist caves are more simplistic. The caves were also used as monasteries and temples, some of which include sleeping cells for traveling monks.
The Kailasa cave (cave 16) is different from the other caves. It was built downwards on a balsaltic slope instead of horizontally like the other caves and therefore is exposed to more sunlight.
The Vishvakarma cave (cave 10) consists of Hindu and Buddhist figure carvings and a scene of dancing dwarfs. Cave 32, one of the Jain temples, exhibits carvings of lotus flowers and other intricate details.
Every year the Ellora Caves attract huge crowds of religious pilgrims and tourists alike. The Ellora Festival of Classical Music and Dance is also held there every March.
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