Ellora Caves Built by Which Dynasty? The Complete Answer

If you are wondering Ellora caves built by which dynasty, the short answer is that no single dynasty built them. Ellora was carved over roughly 500 years, so several ruling families shaped it. The Buddhist caves date to the Chalukya period, the earliest Hindu caves are linked to the Kalachuris, and the famous Kailasa Temple and many later Hindu and Jain caves belong to the Rashtrakuta dynasty. The Yadavas added the last Jain caves.

This guide explains Ellora caves built by which dynasty cave group by cave group, so you can match the history to what you see on site. Dates are approximate, since historians still debate some of them.

Ellora Caves Built by Which Dynasty — Quick Answer

Note: Scholars differ on exact dates and patrons, so treat these as broadly accepted attributions rather than final answers.

Buddhist Caves (1–12): Chalukya Period

The southern group of twelve Buddhist caves is the oldest phase at Ellora, generally dated to about 600–730 CE and linked to the Chalukya period. These include monasteries (viharas) and the large chaitya hall of Cave 10, often called the Vishvakarma Cave. Unlike some other sites, these caves lack inscriptions naming a royal patron, so the connection to a dynasty rests on dating and regional history rather than a written record.

Hindu Caves (13–29): Kalachuri and Rashtrakuta

The Hindu caves were carved in two broad phases. The earliest, including Cave 21 (Rameshwar) and Cave 29 (Dhumar Lena), are likely the work of the Kalachuri dynasty. Later Hindu caves, including Caves 14, 15 and 16, are credited to the Rashtrakutas. So when people ask Ellora caves built by which dynasty for the Hindu group, the honest answer is Kalachuri first, then Rashtrakuta.

Cave 15, the Dashavatara Cave, shows the ten avatars of Vishnu. An inscription of Dantidurga, the Rashtrakuta ruler, recorded in the front hall (dated around 753–757 CE), helps historians fix the age of the temple.

Rashtrakuta Dynasty and the Kailasa Temple

The Rashtrakuta dynasty is the answer most people are really looking for. The Kailasa Temple (Cave 16), a Shiva temple carved top-down from a single rock, is credited to the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I in the 8th century CE. It is considered the largest monolithic rock excavation in the world, and work likely continued under later rulers. For more on this monument, see our largest cave temple in India guide.

Even a short reading of Ellora caves built by which dynasty shows why the Rashtrakutas matter: they turned Ellora from a modest monastery site into a monumental temple complex.

Jain Caves (30–34): Rashtrakuta and Yadava

The five Jain caves at the northern end were excavated mainly in the 9th and early 10th centuries under Rashtrakuta rule, with later work associated with the Yadava dynasty. They are smaller than the Hindu caves but known for refined carving, most notably the Indra Sabha (Cave 32).

Timeline — Who Built What, and When

• c. 600–730 CE: Buddhist caves (Chalukya period).
• 6th–7th century CE: Earliest Hindu caves, likely Kalachuri.
• c. 753–783 CE: Dantidurga and Krishna I; Caves 15 and 16 (Kailasa).
• 9th–10th century CE: Rashtrakuta-period Jain caves.
• Later: Yadava additions to the Jain group.
• 1983: Ellora is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visiting Ellora — What to See

Knowing Ellora caves built by which dynasty makes a visit far richer. Start with Cave 16 (Kailasa) for scale, see Cave 15 for Vishnu’s avatars, Cave 10 for the Buddhist chaitya hall, and Cave 32 for Jain art. Ellora is about 30 km from Aurangabad and is generally closed on Tuesdays, so confirm timings before you go. See our Ellora Caves Maharashtra guide for tickets and facts, and our Ajanta vs Ellora Caves comparison if you are planning both.

Getting There by Taxi

A private taxi is the easiest way to explore Ellora with a guide. See our taxi for Ajanta Ellora Caves from Aurangabad page, our Ajanta and Ellora Caves from Aurangabad guide, and our Ajanta Cave Maharashtra guide to add Ajanta to your plan.

To plan both sites, see our Ajanta and Ellora Caves tour page and our Ajanta Ellora caves tour package. For exact distances and travel times, see our Aurangabad to Ajanta and Ellora Caves distance guide.

Ellora Caves Built by Which Dynasty — FAQs

1. Ellora caves built by which dynasty?

No single dynasty built Ellora. The Buddhist caves date to the Chalukya period, the earliest Hindu caves are linked to the Kalachuris, and the Kailasa Temple and many later Hindu and Jain caves belong to the Rashtrakuta dynasty, with the Yadavas adding the last Jain caves. Dates and patrons are approximate, so historians still debate some details.

2. Which dynasty built the Kailasa Temple at Ellora?

The Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) is credited to the Rashtrakuta dynasty, traditionally to King Krishna I in the 8th century CE. Work likely continued across the reigns of later rulers. It is a Shiva temple carved from a single rock and is considered the largest monolithic excavation in the world.

3. Who built the Buddhist caves at Ellora?

The twelve Buddhist caves (1–12) were carved between roughly 600 and 730 CE, a period linked to the Chalukyas. These caves lack inscriptions naming a royal patron, so the attribution relies on dating and regional history rather than a written record.

4. Which dynasty built the Jain caves at Ellora?

The Jain caves (30–34) were excavated mainly in the 9th and early 10th centuries under the Rashtrakutas, with later work associated with the Yadava dynasty. The Indra Sabha (Cave 32) is the best-known example.

5. How long did it take to build the Ellora caves?

The caves were carved over roughly 500 years, from about the 6th century CE into the later medieval period. The Kailasa Temple alone likely took many decades and several generations of craftsmen.

6. Were Ajanta and Ellora built by the same dynasty?

No. Ajanta is a Buddhist site associated with earlier periods and rulers such as the Satavahanas and Vakatakas, while Ellora belongs mainly to the Chalukya, Kalachuri, Rashtrakuta and Yadava periods. They are different sites with different patrons, about 100 km apart.

7. Is Ellora a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Yes. Ellora Caves were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. The site has 34 caves open to visitors: 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu and 5 Jain, reflecting the religious harmony of the period.

8. How far is Ellora from Aurangabad, and when is it closed?

Ellora is about 30 km from Aurangabad, roughly a 40 to 60 minute drive, and is generally closed on Tuesdays. Timings can change, so check current details before travelling, and consider a private taxi for a comfortable half-day or full-day visit.