Ellora Caves Inside — What You See Cave by Cave

What is the Ellora caves inside experience really like? Step through the entrances and you find carved prayer halls with ribbed stone ceilings, a temple cut from a single rock, two-storey shrines and rows of carved deities, all made by hand from solid basalt. This guide walks through the Ellora caves inside, one highlight at a time, so you know what to look for before you visit from Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar).

Ellora Caves Inside — Overview

The 34 caves open to visitors are carved into a long basalt cliff in Verul village, about 30 km from Aurangabad. They are grouped by religion: Caves 1 to 12 are Buddhist, Caves 13 to 29 are Hindu and Caves 30 to 34 are Jain. What you see inside changes from group to group, so the Ellora caves inside feel like three different worlds in one walk. Dates are approximate and roughly span the 6th to 10th centuries CE; see our Ellora place guide for the full overview and history.

Ellora Caves Inside — The Buddhist Caves (1–12)

The Buddhist caves are mostly monasteries, called viharas, with halls, pillars and small cells. Inside Cave 5, known as a large hall, you will see two long parallel stone benches running down the centre, which are thought to have been used by monks for meals and study. At the far end sits a Buddha statue.

The most famous Ellora caves inside the Buddhist group is Cave 10, the Vishvakarma or Carpenter’s Cave. It is a prayer hall (chaitya) with a high vaulted ceiling carved with ribs that imitate wooden beams, which is why it is nicknamed the Carpenter’s Cave. At the far end a large seated Buddha, with a Bodhi tree carved behind him, sits in front of a stupa. Caves 11 and 12 are three-storey monasteries, and they are among the last Buddhist caves made.

Ellora Caves Inside — The Hindu Caves (13–29)

The Hindu caves are temples decorated with large carved panels. Cave 15, the Dashavatara cave, is a two-storey temple where upper-level panels show the ten avatars of Vishnu, including the dramatic scene of Vishnu as Narasimha. Cave 21, the Rameshwar cave, is known for large sculptures of the river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna at the entrance and a row of the seven mother goddesses inside.

Cave 29, the Dhumar Lena, is one of the largest early excavations and is built around a natural seasonal waterfall, called Sita-Ki-Nahani, which is most visible in the monsoon. Many visitors say the Ellora caves inside the Hindu group show how carving moved from simple halls to richly sculpted temple walls.

Ellora Caves Inside — The Kailasa Temple (Cave 16)

The Kailasa Temple is the highlight of the Ellora caves inside the whole complex. It is a Shiva temple carved from one huge rock and modelled on Mount Kailash, with a courtyard, pillared halls, a main shrine and smaller shrines around it. Its walls show scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, along with river goddesses and Vishnu avatars. The temple is credited to the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I in the 8th century CE. To learn how it was made, read our largest cave temple in India guide and the Ellora caves built by which dynasty page.

Ellora Caves Inside — The Jain Caves (30–34)

The Jain caves are smaller and finely carved. Cave 32, called Indra Sabha, is a two-storey cave with a lotus carved on the ceiling and a shrine with four seated tirthankaras. Cave 33, the Jagannatha Sabha, is the second-largest Jain cave, with massive pillars and images of Parshvanatha and Mahavira. The Jain group is a short drive north of the main caves, so ask your driver to include it so the Ellora caves inside the Jain group are not missed.

Ellora Caves Inside — Quick Facts

Note: Details and dates vary slightly between sources.

Tips for Visiting Inside Ellora Caves

• Start with Cave 16 early, then move to the Buddhist and Jain groups.
• Wear comfortable shoes, as floors can be uneven and some caves are dim.
• Carry a small torch or use your phone light for details, if allowed.
• Check ASI signs for photography rules in each cave.
• Ellora is generally closed on Tuesdays, so confirm before you go.
• Hire a taxi so you can cover the caves, Grishneshwar and Khuldabad in one day.

For taxi options, see our Ajanta Ellora taxi services, Ajanta and Ellora Caves from Aurangabad, Ajanta and Ellora Caves tour, Ajanta Ellora caves tour package and Aurangabad to Ajanta and Ellora caves distance. For quick facts first, read 10 lines about Ellora Caves.

Ellora Caves Inside — FAQs

1. What is inside Ellora Caves?

Inside Ellora Caves you will find Buddhist monasteries and prayer halls, Hindu temples carved from rock and Jain shrines. Highlights include the vaulted Vishvakarma prayer hall (Cave 10), the Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) and the two-storey Jain Indra Sabha (Cave 32).

2. What is inside the Kailasa Temple at Ellora?

The Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) is a Shiva temple carved from a single rock, with a courtyard, shrines, pillared halls and wall panels showing scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, along with river goddesses and Vishnu avatars.

3. What is inside Cave 10 at Ellora?

Cave 10, the Vishvakarma or Carpenter’s Cave, is a Buddhist prayer hall with a ribbed, vaulted ceiling that imitates wooden beams and a large seated Buddha with a Bodhi tree carved behind him.

4. Can you go inside all the Ellora caves?

Visitors can enter the 34 numbered caves that are open to the public, though some are small or very dark and a few may have restricted areas. Follow ASI signs and staff instructions inside the caves.

5. Is there a waterfall inside the Ellora Caves complex?

Yes, a seasonal waterfall known as Sita-Ki-Nahani flows beside Cave 29 (Dhumar Lena) and is most visible during the monsoon months.

6. How much time do I need to see inside Ellora Caves?

Most visitors spend about 2 to 3 hours to cover the main caves, including Caves 10, 15, 16, 21 and 32, and longer if they want to see more of the Buddhist and Jain caves.

7. Is photography allowed inside Ellora Caves?

Rules on photography can vary by cave and may change, so check the ASI signs at each cave and follow staff instructions. Flash and tripods are commonly restricted in heritage sites.

8. How can I visit Ellora Caves from Aurangabad?

Ellora is about 30 km from Aurangabad, usually 45 to 60 minutes by road, and a private taxi is the most comfortable option. Ellora is generally closed on Tuesdays, so confirm before you go. Call 9860080525 or WhatsApp to book.