India Hidden Secret: Explore caves in India

For millennia people have been drawn to the dark, silent and often mysterious spaces under the earth. Caves offer all sorts of natural beauty, exotic man-made carvings and well preserved historical artefacts. Thanks to excavations and explorers there are several caves in India open for visitors to explore. Escape the hustle and bustle of the surface for a while and add one of these quiet and remarkable spots to your sightseeing itinerary.

Here are our top five cave locations in India.

1. Ajanta & Ellora Caves 

One of the most popular destinations for exotic carvings and a easy weekend access, the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are situated a distance of 350 kms from Mumbai in Aurangabad. Dated between a span of 2nd century BC and 11th Century AD, they are a mix of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist carvings. There are about 34 caves at Ellora and 20 at Ajanta.

Outside-Ajanta-caves

If you cannot take out time for these, make a day trip from Mumbai to the Elephanta Caves. The magnificent sculptures from 450 and 750 AD are worth a trip.

• Opening times for Ajanta & Ellora: 9.00 a.m to 5.30 p.m (Ajanta Caves are closed on Monday & Ellora on Tuesday)
• Entry Fees: Rs 5/- for Indian Nations and $5 for Foreign Nationals.
• Opening times for Elephanta Caves: 9.00 a.m to 5.30 p.m (Closed on Mondays)
• Entry Fee: Rs 5/- for Indian Nationals and $5 for Foreign Nationals. (Free for children under 15 years of age)

Inside-Ajanta-caves

2. Badami Caves of Karnataka

There are very few temples or religious destinations in India where you will find patronage to both Lord Shiva and Vishnu. Badami caves in North Karnataka are a pantheon dedicated to both these Hindu Gods. While the large part of these caves is dedicated to Hindu Gods, there is one small Jain temple as well. The caves are located on a hill top with 200 steps – Be prepared to be enthralled after the short climb.

Badami-Caves-view

• Opening times: Dawn to Dusk
• Entry Fee: Rs 5/- for Indian & SAARC Country Nationals and $5 for Foreign Nationals. (Free for children under 15 years of age)

3. Tabo in Spiti 

Meditation caves, quite appropriately tucked away on rocky ridges, still exist in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh. These are hand dug caves, where Buddhist Lamas still go and sit in solitude. You can explore and walk in (if caves are not occupied) to get a feel of austere living.

Tabo-Cave-Spiti

4. Meghalaya Caves 

The lush North eastern state of Meghalaya is also known for many caves in the region. It is said that there are over 1200 caves in the state which are suited for adventure activities. While these are breathtaking, they are also very wet inside and should only be visited with guides.

Waterfall-outside-Caves-Meghalaya

The major caves are found in the Khasi Hills including the famous Krem Mawkhyrdop.

Mawsmai Cave in the village of Mawsmai has impressive formations of large passages and chambers with amphitheatre-like halls and endless galleys with plenty of stunning stalagmite and stalactite formations.

5. Pallava Caves

Heading south to Tamil Nadu, the Pallava Caves are a famous sight-seeing spot in the town of Trichy. These small rock cut caves were made next to the Rock Fort Temple and house beautiful sculptures. These are said to be built in 6th and 7th Centuries.

Caves-Around-Rock-Fort

• Opening times: 6.00 a.m to 8.00 p.m
• Entry Fee: Rs. 0.50 (Rs 10/- is charged for cameras)

Inside-Pallava-Caves

For all of the caves listed above, it is suggested to check timings and entry fee as they are subject to change.

Unearth the Secrets of Ellora Caves - Temples of India

Located in the Indian state of Maharashtra, the magnificent Ellora Caves are 34 structures excavated out of the vertical face of the Charanandri hills. An official UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ellora Caves consists of 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu and 5 Jain temples and monasteries built between the 6th and 10th century.

They stand as a testament to the religious harmony prevalent during this period of Indian history. The Ellora Caves are the most visited ancient monument in the state and are a must-see for any tourists in the area. Enjoy the incredible photographs below with information on these historical monuments sprinkled throughout.

Ellora Caves

Ellora Caves from top

Far view Ellora Caves

Ariel View Ellora Caves

Circle of Lion statue

Statue inside Ellora Caves

Wide View Elora Caves

The Vishvakarma Caves or Buddhist Caves of Ellora

• The Buddhist caves (also called Vishvakarma caves) are the earliest of the Ellora Caves, dating from 500 to 750 AD. All except one are viharas (monasteries), which were used for study, meditation, communal rituals, eating and sleeping
• The caves become steadily larger and more elaborately decorated as they progress to the north, which scholars have explained by the growing need to compete with Hinduism for patronage
• The earliest Hindu caves at Ellora date from 600 AD, right in the middle of the Buddhist period

Buddha inside Buddhist Cave of Ellora

Buddhist Cave outside

Far view Buddhist Cave

Top view Buddhist Cave

The Hindu Caves of Ellora

• Created during a time of prosperity and revival of Hindusim, the Hindu caves represent an entirely different style of creative vision and skill than the Buddhist caves
• The Hindu temples were carved from top to bottom and required several generations of planning and coordination to take shape. There are 17 Hindu caves in all, which were carved between 600 and 870 AD. They occupy the center of the cave complex, grouped around either side of the famous Kailasa Temple
• In contrast to the serene and solemn Buddhas of the earlier caves, the walls of the Hindu caves are covered in lively bas-reliefs depicting events from the Hindu scriptures. All of the caves are dedicated to the god Shiva, but there are also some images of Vishnu and his various incarnations

Durga in Hindu Cave

Close view Hindu Cave

Elephant in hindu cave

Hindu Cave close

Hindu Cave statues

The Jain Caves of Ellora

• The Jain caves, dating from the late 800s and 900s, are 2 km north down an asphalt road (rickshaws are available). They reflect the distinctiveness of Jain philosophy and tradition, including a strict sense of asceticism combined with elaborate decoration
• They are not large compared to others, but contain exceptionally detailed artworks. Many of the Jain caves had rich paintings in the ceilings, fragments of which are still visible

Allies of Jain cave

Ariel View Jain cave

Close view Jain Cave

Elephant Statue Jain cave

Far view Jain cave

Jain cave

Siva Parvati inside Jain cave

Statue in Jain cave

Varranda Jain Cave

Ajanta and Ellora caves - greatest tourist attractions in India

Expect your curiosity about the Ajanta and Ellora caves to be answered during your visit to the historical site on you tour to India. Created during the span from the 2nd century BC to the 8th century AD, the caves of Ajanta and Ellora are two of the most appealing tourist destinations in India.

Located near the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat, the Ajanta and Ellora caves were discovered by a British Army Officer, named John Smith, with his group while they were on their hunting expedition in 1819. They were found lying amidst the Sahyadri hills, carved into the mountains, over the Waghora River. They demonstrate the story of Buddhism, covering a period from 200 BC to 650 AD. The 29 caves were constructed as retreats of the Buddhist monks, who sermonized and performed religious ceremonies in the Chaityas and Viharas.

Ajanta & Ellora Caves - 2nd century BC to 8th century AD

Some of the greatest tourist attractions in India, these caves have stunning figures carved out with the help of hammer and chisel by the saints. A lot of the caves display panels illustrating tales from the Jatakas - tales of the several incarnations of the Buddha. One can notice portrayals of nymphs and princesses among various other depictions.
Around 30 kms from Aurangabad are sited the 34 Ellora caves. They are engraved into the sides of a basaltic mount. The facades and finely decorated interiors show

Ajanta Caves - 30 Kms from Aurangabad

some of the excellent examples of cave - temple architecture. Carved during the 350 AD to 700 AD, these structures depict the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. The 17 of them in the centre are dedicated to Hinduism, 12 caves to the south to Buddhism and the 5 caves to the north to Jainism.
The Kailasa temple in Cave 16 is considered to be one of the finest architectural wonders with the entire composition chiseled out of a monolith.

This peak, believed to be the holy abode of Lord Shiva  is perhaps  the world’s largest monolith. Its pavilion, assembly hall, gateway,

sanctum and tower, are all created out of a single block. Unlike most of the other temple constructions that begin from the bottom, this sculpture starts from the very crown and the sides. The Dumar Lena cave, devoted to Lord Shiva, bears semblance to the famous cave - temple at Elephanta.

Ajanta & Ellora - most outstanding rock-cut caves in India

The Jain caves are positioned roughly a mile away from the Kailasa temple, among which Cave 32 has a stunning shrine decked with fine carved forms of a yakshi on a lion under a mango tree and a lotus flower on the roof. Caves 32 and 34 have the stately statues of Parasnath. The other Jain caves have the illustrations of Tirthankaras, and one of them, even flaunts a seated figure of Mahavira.

Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, Aurangabad Caves and Panchakki (WaterMill) are some of the other tourist attractions in Ajanta and Ellora.