12 Best Places To Visit In Ellora

Ellora is a historic destination in Maharashtra that portrays the brilliance of ancient Indian architecture and spiritual traditions. It is well known for the iconic Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and includes rock cut architectural style temples & monasteries. These caves were carved between the 6th & 10th centuries, representing India’s religious heritage. Apart from the caves, Ellora has several nearby attractions including temples, forts and more. Exploring the places to visit in Ellora offers a perfect blend of spirituality, history and architectural wonder.

1. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

The Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga temple, is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples dedicated to lord Shiva. It is also called Ghushmeshwar temple or Gharneshwar temple. This temple was built of red stone and has a five tiered tower structure. It is said that Ahalyadevi Holkar renovated this temple and the idols of ten avatars are carved on a stone slab at the mid level of the temple. 

Entry Fee : Free
Timings: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Distance From Ellora Bus Stand: 1.3 KM
Distance From Shirdi : 102 KM

2. Ellora Caves

Ellora is also referred to as Verul or Elura and has the ancient name Elloorpuram. Ellora caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of India’s perfect examples of ancient architectural styles. There are more than 100 caves and 34 out of these are open for visitors. These 34 caves include 17 Hindu cave temples, 12 Buddhist cave temples and 5 Jain cave temples as well as monasteries of each religion. They were built during the Rashtrakuta dynasty and the Yadava dynasty.  

Entry Fee : Rs.40 for Indians; Rs.600 for foreigners
Timings: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Closed on Tuesdays
Distance From Ellora Bus Stand: 1.8 KM
Distance From Shirdi : 102 KM

3. Kailasa Temple (Cave 16)

Kailash temple is one of the cave temples located in Ellora and is one of the ancient Hindu temples with rock cut architecture. It is considered one of the most impressive cave temples with 276 feet length and 154 feet width. To build this single rock cut temple, around 400,000 tons of rock were cut & shaped for more than a hundred years.

Entry Fee: Rs.40 for Indians; Rs. 600 for foreigners
Timings: 8:00AM – 6:00 PM
Distance From Ellora Bus Stand : 2.1 KM
Distance From Shirdi : 103 KM

4. Vishwakarma Cave (Cave 10)

It is one of the Buddhist Caves and is a chaitya(buddhist prayer hall)  worship hall which was built around 650 CE. It is also known as the “Carpenter’s Cave” for its appearance as wooden beams. It includes a 15 feet Buddha statue in a meditating pose.
This cave also includes gavaksha & chadrashala, and has a connection to Ellora cave 9 side ways.

Entry Fee : Rs. 40 for Indians; Rs.600 for foreigners
Timings : 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Closed on Tuesdays
Distance From Ellora Bus Stand : 650 m
Distance From Shirdi :  103 KM

5. Indra Sabha (Cave 32)

The Indra Sabha was cut and shaped in the 9th century and is a two stepped cave with a monolithic(single rock cut) shrine. Indra is an important deity in all religions and has particular importance in Jain religion. It includes many beautiful & attractive carvings inside the temple such as lotus flower, image of Ambika, the yakshi of Neminath, seated on her lion under a mango tree. The centre of the shrine presents Sarvatobhadra, where four tirthankaras of Jainism namely Rishabhanatha, Neminatha, Parshavanatha & Mahavira. 

Entry Fee : Rs.40 for Indians; Rs.600 for foreigners
Timings : 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Distance From Ellora Bus Stand : 1.6 KM
Distance From Shirdi : 103 KM

6. Do Tal(Cave 11)

Do Thal is cave 11 in Ellora caves which is a large multi stepped Buddhist monastery including detailed rock cut carvings of Buddha and other deities. Do Thal means “ two floors” but the cave actually has three levels which also makes it known as Teen Thal. This large complex contains a courtyard, pillared verandahs & shrines. It displays Buddha in various hand mudras and reflects Tantric Buddhist themes.

Entry Fee : Rs. 40 for Indians; Rs.600 for foreigners
Timings: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Distance From Ellora Bus Stand : 600 m
Distance From Shirdi : 101 KM

7. Dasavatara(Cave 15)

Dasavatara Cave temple is one of the  significant cut and shape temples which includes cells and a layout plan that are similar to Buddhist Caves 11 and 12. This temple has an open court with a free standing monolithic mandapa in the middle. A carved writing of Dantidurga, which helps identify the age of the temple, can be seen on the back wall of the front hall. According to Coomaraswamy, this cave shows the story of Hiranyakashipu’s death, where lord Vishnu appears as Narasimha, coming out of a pillar and defeating him. 

Entry Fee : Rs.40 for Indians; Rs.600 for foreigners
Timings : 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Distance From Ellora Bus Stand : 450 m
Distance From Shirdi : 100 KM

8. Rameswara Temple (Cave 21)

Cave 21 in Ellora is also called Rameshwar Lena, is another early excavation(carving work) which was built in Kalachuris of Mahishmati dynasty. It depicts the story of goddess Parvati’s search for lord Shiva, carvings depicting Parvati & Shiva at leisure, Parvati’s wedding. Also, it displays Sapta Matrika, the seven mother goddesses of the Shakti tradition. 

Entry Fee : Rs. 40 for Indians; Rs.600 for foreigners
Timings : 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Distance From Ellora Bus Stand : 600 m
Distance From Shirdi : 101 KM

9. Jagannath Sabha (Cave 33)

The Jagannatha Sabha is the second largest Jain cave at Ellora and dates to the 9th century according to the inscriptions on the pillars. It is a two layered cave with 12 massive pillars and elephant heads projecting towards a porch, all carved from a single rock. The hall has two heavy square pillars in front, four in the middle area and a pillared interior square hall with fluted shafts. This temple houses major idols like Parshavanatha and Mahavira, the last two tirthankaras in Jainism.

Entry Fee : Rs.40 for Indians; Rs.600 for foreigners
Timings : 9:00 AM — 6:00 PM
Distance From Ellora Bus Stand : 1.6 KM
Distance From Shirdi : 100 KM

10. Chhota Kailasa (Cave 30)

The Chhota Kailasha, or the little Kailasha, is so named due to the similarity of the carvings to those in the Kailasha temple. This temple was likely built in the early 9th century. It includes two larger statues of dancing Indra, one with eight arms and another with twelve, both decorated with ornaments and a crown. India’s arms are shown in various mudras of the dancing Shiva artworks found in nearby Hindu caves.

Entry Fee : Rs.40 for Indians; Rs.600 for foreigners
Timings : 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Distance From Ellora Bus Stand : 1.5 KM
Distance From Shirdi : 100 KM

11. Tomb of Mughal Emperor

The Tomb of the Mughal Emperor near Ellora is a historical monument that reflects the architectural style of the Mughal period. It was built with arches and a dome, the tomb stands as a reminder of the Mughal presence in the region and adds historical value to the Ellora. 

Entry Fee : Rs.40 for Indians; Rs.600 for foreigners
Timings :  6:00 AM — 6:00 PM; Closed on Tuesdays
Distance From Ellora Bus Stand : 4 KM
Distance From Shirdi : 105 KM

12. Malik Ambar Tomb

The Malik Ambar Tomb is an important historical monument near Ellora, dedicated to Malik Ambar, a powerful military leader and administrator of the Deccan. It is known for its strong & simple architecture, the tomb reflects his influence and role in the region’s history.

Entry Fee : Free
Timings :   Open 24 hours
Distance From Ellora Bus Stand : 3.8 KM
Distance From Shirdi : 104 KM

A visit to Ellora is a journey through time, where rock cut caves, ancient temples and historic tombs reveal stories carved in stone. From the greatness of the Kailasa temple to the peaceful Jain & Buddhist caves, Ellora leaves visitors with a deep appreciation for India’s architectural and spiritual heritage.