Ellora Caves

Carved directly into the basaltic cliffs of the Charanandri Hills in Maharashtra, India, the Ellora Caves represent one of the most astonishing architectural achievements in human history. Spanning a distance of over 2 kilometers, this complex features 34 major rock-cut caves open to the public (out of more than 100 excavated in the complex), constructed between the 6th and 10th centuries CE under the patronage of the Rashtrakuta and Yadava dynasties.

In 1983, UNESCO designated the Ellora Caves as a World Heritage site, citing them as a masterwork of human creative genius and an exceptional testimony to ancient Indian art and engineering. What sets Ellora apart globally is its profound spirit of religious tolerance: the site houses 12 Buddhist caves (Caves 1–12), 17 Hindu caves (Caves 13–29), and 5 Jain caves (Caves 30–34), all constructed side-by-side in complete sanctuary and harmony.

The crown jewel of Ellora is Cave 16, known as the Kailasa Temple (or Kailashnath). It is the world's largest monolithic rock excavation. Unlike traditional temples built ground-up from blocks, ancient artisans carved Kailasa top-down from a single solid rock cliff face, excavating over 200,000 tons of rock without modern machinery. Standing twice the height of the Parthenon in Athens Travel Budget, the temple features multi-story pavilions, life-sized carved elephants, and intricate relief panels depicting epic scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Visiting Ellora offers an unforgettable journey into ancient engineering, spiritual devotion, and artistic brilliance.

Navigating ticket logistics for Ellora Caves in 2026 is straightforward, provided you prepare ahead of time to avoid long queues at the gate entrance.

Opening Hours & Schedule

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  Operating Hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset (approx. 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM).
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  Weekly Closure: Ellora Caves are CLOSED every Tuesday. (Note: Do not confuse this with the nearby Ajanta Caves, which are closed on Mondays). Plan your itinerary accordingly.

Updated 2026 Ticket Pricing

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  Foreign Tourists (Non-SAARC/BIMSTEC): ₹600 online / ₹650 cash at counter (~$7.20 – $7.80 USD).
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  Indian Citizens & SAARC/BIMSTEC Visitors: ₹40 online / ₹50 cash at counter (~$0.50 – $0.60 USD).
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  Children (Under 15 years): Free entry for all nationalities upon presenting valid ID/passport.
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  Still Camera: Included in the standard admission ticket.
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  Video Camera / Commercial Filming: ₹25 (~$0.30 USD) for handheld non-commercial video; commercial gear requires prior written authorization from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
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  Internal Shuttle / Battery Carts: ₹30 – ₹50 (~$0.35 – $0.60 USD) per seat for transport between Cave 16 and the Jain Group (Caves 30–34).

Pro Tips for Buying Tickets

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) offers a ₹50 discount for foreign visitors and a ₹10 discount for domestic tourists who purchase tickets online. You can scan the official QR code boards located outside the main gate or purchase tickets in advance through the official ASI PayUMoney/TICKET portal. Buying online allows you to skip the long physical ticket line, which can take over 45 minutes during weekend rush hours.

Ellora Caves are located approximately 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) northwest of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly known as Aurangabad), the primary transit hub in Maharashtra.

Step 1: Arriving in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

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  By Air: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Airport (IXU) receives daily direct flights from major Indian hubs including Mumbai Travel Budget, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. Taxi fares from the airport to the city center run approximately ₹500 – ₹700 (~$6.00 – $8.40 USD).
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  By Train: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Railway Station (AWB) is well connected via express trains (such as the Vande Bharat Express) from Mumbai (approx. 6.5 hours) and Pune (approx. 5.5 hours).

Step 2: Transit from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to Ellora Caves

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  MSRTC Local Bus (Budget Option): Public buses operated by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation depart every 15–20 minutes from the Central Bus Stand (CBS) in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar toward Ellora/Khuldabad.

  • One-way fare: ₹45 – ₹60 (~$0.55 – $0.75 USD).
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  Travel time: 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.

With 34 caves spread across a massive rock face, maximizing your time and photography efforts requires a strategic plan.

Top Photography Locations

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  The Upper Cliff Edge of Cave 16 (Kailasa Temple): Follow the marked trail along the right-hand rock cliff facing Cave 16. Climbing up gives you a breathtaking bird's-eye view looking down into the courtyard, revealing the sheer scale of this monolithic marvel.
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  Cave 10 (Visvakarma / Carpenter’s Cave): This cathedral-like Buddhist chaitya features a ribbed wooden-style stone ceiling, a massive seated Buddha, and a stupa. Photographers should capture the dramatic light beams filtering through the upper arched window between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
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  Cave 29 (Dhumar Lena): A grand Hindu cave modeled similarly to the Elephanta Caves near Mumbai. Features massive guardian figures (Dwarapalas) and dramatic waterfall views directly outside the hall entrance during monsoon season.
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  Cave 32 (Indra Sabha): The standout Jain cave featuring intricate two-story carvings, a monolithic elephant statue, and an exquisitely detailed lotus carving on the ceiling.

Insider Visit Hacks

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  Beat the Tour Buses: Arrive at the gates by 6:00 AM. Head directly to Cave 16 first. You will have the entire monolithic temple to yourself for nearly two hours before tour groups arrive at 9:30 AM.
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  Best Seasonal Window: Visit between October and March for pleasant temperatures (15°C to 30°C / 59°F to 86°F). Alternatively, July to September (monsoon season) turns the surrounding countryside lush green and activates beautiful temporary waterfalls over the cave tops, though humidity is high.
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  Footwear Essentials: You will be required to remove your shoes when entering active shrines within the caves. Wear comfortable slip-on shoes paired with thick socks, as the outdoor stone floors get very hot under the afternoon sun.
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  Explore the Outer Caves: Most visitors stay only near Caves 10 through 16. Hop on the shuttle bus to reach Caves 30–34 (Jain Caves), which are quieter, cooler, and filled with hyper-detailed stone art.

Travelers can choose between staying directly near Ellora Village (ideal for early morning access) or staying in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city (better dining and nightlife options).

Recommended Accommodations

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  Budget ($8 – $22 USD / ₹700 – ₹1,800 per night): Hostels like Zostel Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar or modest family-run homestays directly in Ellora village (walking distance to the cave gates).
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  Mid-Range ($35 – $75 USD / ₹2,900 – ₹6,200 per night): MTDC Resort Ellora (located right across from the cave complex entrance) or hotels like VITS Hotel in the main city.
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  Luxury ($110 – $220+ USD / ₹9,000 – ₹18,000+ per night): Premium properties in the city such as Vivanta Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar or Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels.

Daily Budget Allocation (2026 Estimates)

Below is a breakdown of estimated daily expenses per person when visiting Ellora Caves:

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  Backpacker Budget Planner: ~$20 – $30 USD (₹1,650 – ₹2,500) per day. Covers local MSRTC bus transit, dormitory or budget room, street food/thalis, and online entry ticket.
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  Flashpacker / Mid-Range Budget: ~$60 – $110 USD (₹5,000 – ₹9,000) per day. Covers private auto-rickshaw or shared cab, mid-range hotel, entry ticket with local guide fees (~₹1,500 for a licensed ASI guide), and sit-down meals.
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  Luxury / Private Comfort: ~$200 – $350+ USD (₹16,500 – ₹29,000+) per day. Covers 5-star hotel stay, private chauffeur-driven AC car, private expert historian guide, and fine dining.

Dining Recommendations

Do not leave the region without sampling Naan Qalia (a aromatic slow-cooked mutton stew served with soft bread, originating in neighboring Khuldabad) and local Maharashtrian vegetarian Pithla Bhakri. Small restaurants right outside the Ellora gate serve affordable, hearty thalis ranging from ₹150 to ₹350 ($1.80 – $4.20 USD).