National park · India
Ellora Cavesवेरूळ लेणी
Give Ellora a full morning: start at Cave 16 (Kailasa temple) at opening 9:00, then walk the cliff south to north through the Buddhist and Jain groups; closed Tuesdays, ₹30 Indians / ₹500 foreigners (2026 estimate).Give Ellora a full morning: start at Cave 16 (Kailasa temple) at opening 9:00 AM, then walk the cliff south to north through the Buddhist and Jain groups; closed Tuesdays, ₹30 Indians / ₹500 foreigners (2026 estimate).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²)
approximate
Established
1983
Best months
Oct–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²)
- The protected cave strip along the Charanandri cliff runs about 2 km; figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1983
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Ellora is one cliff of basalt in the Charanandri Hills, 30 km north-west of Aurangabad, carved between the 5th and 13th centuries into 34 caves that are open to visitors: 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu and 5 Jain, side by side. Cave 16, the Kailasa temple, is the largest single monolithic rock excavation anywhere — a full temple cut downward from the top of one rock, not built up from a base. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage property and is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India. It is not a park with trails: the walk is the cliff itself, roughly 2 km from the southern Buddhist group to the northern Jain group, and it shuts every Tuesday. Ajanta, 100 km away, is the older, Buddhist-only site with painted murals; Ellora is later, three faiths on one escarpment, and its sculpture stands in open daylight.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1983.
Size and age
2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²) · national park since 1983
The protected cave strip along the Charanandri cliff runs about 2 km; figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- Cave 16 is the largest monolithic rock excavation anywhere: a full temple cut downward out of one basalt cliff.
- 34 caves are open, in three groups — 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu, 5 Jain — within a 2 km (1.2 mi) walk.34 caves are open, in three groups — 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu, 5 Jain — within a 1.2 mi (2 km) walk.
- The sculpture is in place, not in a museum: friezes, guardian panels and the Kailasa chariot read at walking pace.
- It pairs with Daulatabad Fort and the Grishneshwar temple on the same road from Aurangabad.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry, clear light on the basalt
- FebDry and mild
- MarWarming; Ellora festival in the third week
- AprHot by midday; start at opening (check)
- MayHottest month; little shade on the cliff (check)
- JunMonsoon arrives; wet rock steps
- JulGreen and quiet, but slippery and humid
- AugRain; the waterfall beside Cave 29 runs
- SepRain tails off; still humid
- OctDry again, softer light
- NovDry and comfortable
- DecCool mornings, busy Indian holidays
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Langurs and macaques around the cliffAll year · Do not feed them; they grab bags and food. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Monsoon waterfall beside Cave 29Jul–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Green cliff and wildflowers after the rainsSep–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Aurangabad (railway station and Central Bus Stand)
MSRTC red bus to Ellora at regular intervals; the last stretch is a 5 min walk from the stop to the gate.
1–1.5 h (check)
From Aurangabad airport
Taxi via Daulatabad; the airport is on the north side, so you skip the city centre.
45–60 min
From Mumbai
Overnight train or flight to Aurangabad, then bus or taxi the next morning.
5–8 h
Open the page →
From Daulatabad Fort
Same road; stop on the way back or combine both in one taxi day.
30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Buddhist group (Caves 1–12) | The southern end: viharas, chaityas and the two-storey Cave 12 with its monks' cells. | Open with the site ticket; the entry gate is here. |
| Hindu group (Caves 13–29) | The middle cliff, dominated by Cave 16 (Kailasa) and Cave 15 (Dashavatara); Cave 29 (Dhumar Lena) sits beside a seasonal waterfall. | Open; Cave 16 has steps and a courtyard. |
| Jain group (Caves 30–34) | The northern end, about 1 km (0.6 mi) past Kailasa: Cave 32 (Chhota Kailasa) and the Tirthankara panels.The northern end, about 0.6 mi (1 km) past Kailasa: Cave 32 (Chhota Kailasa) and the Tirthankara panels. | Open; a level walk from Cave 16. |
| Grishneshwar temple | A working Shiva temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlinga sites, 1 km (0.6 mi) from the caves.A working Shiva temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlinga sites, 0.6 mi (1 km) from the caves. | Open to worshippers; dress and shoe rules apply. |
Sketch map
- 1Ellora gate and ticket office · Gate≈20.020, 75.180Map ↗
- 2Cave 1 (southern end) · Cave≈20.020, 75.180Map ↗
- 3Cave 16, Kailasa temple · Cave≈20.024, 75.179Map ↗
- 4Cave 29, Dhumar Lena · Cave≈20.029, 75.177Map ↗
- 5Jain group, Caves 30–34 · Cave≈20.033, 75.174Map ↗
- 6Grishneshwar temple · Village≈20.025, 75.170Map ↗
- 7Hotel Kailas · Sleep≈20.024, 75.174Map ↗
- 8Aurangabad Central Bus Stand · Ranger station≈19.876, 75.339Approximate.Map ↗
Take the points offline
8 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Cave positions run south to north along the cliff; the bus stand point is the Aurangabad city centre, approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry, Indian nationals | INR 30 (≈ under US$1) | person | 2026 estimate; the ASI rate has moved in steps (check). |
| Entry, foreign nationals | INR 500 (≈ US$6) | person | 2026 estimate; includes the Taj/ASI composite ticket only if bought as one (check). |
| Children under 15 | Free | person | Free. |
| Still camera | Free | camera | Free; video charged separately. |
| Video camera | INR 25 (≈ under US$1) | camera | 2026 estimate (check). |
| MSRTC bus, Aurangabad Central Bus Stand to Ellora | INR 40–60 (≈ under US$1) | person | One way, 2026 estimate; pay the conductor on board (check). |
| Taxi, Aurangabad return with waiting | INR 1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) | car | 2026 estimate; agree the waiting time before you set off (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Site ticket permit or guide
Tripod or professional shoot permit or guide
Drone permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹30≈ under US$1
- ₹500≈ US$6
- ₹25≈ under US$1
- ₹40–60≈ under US$1
- ₹1,500–2,500≈ US$18–30
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Archaeological Survey of India — Ellora Caves before you go.
Park rules
- Closed Tuesdays
- The site shuts every Tuesday; plan the week around it.
- Shoes
- Remove them at the Grishneshwar temple; inside the caves shoes are fine.
- Climbing on sculpture
- Do not climb the carved panels or the Kailasa plinth; guards do stop people.
- Food and litter
- No eating inside the caves; bins are at the gate and the car park.
- Tripods and drones
- Tripods need permission; drones are not allowed over the monument (check).
Where to stay
Near the park
Hotel Kailas
The closest rooms to the gate, a few minutes' walk; cottages and standard rooms.
Near the park
Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar)
The full range of hotels and the transport hub, 30 km (19 mi) away.The full range of hotels and the transport hub, 19 mi (30 km) away.
Near the park
Khuldabad
Small town 3 km (1.9 mi) away with basic lodges and a Mughal tomb complex.Small town 1.9 mi (3 km) away with basic lodges and a Mughal tomb complex.
Safety
Heat on the open cliff medium
Slippery steps in monsoon medium
Unofficial taxis and touts at Aurangabad bus stand medium
Monkeys taking bags low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The path from the gate to Cave 16 is paved and mostly level, with ramps at the entrance.
Visiting lightly
- Buy the ASI World Heritage guidebook at the gate; the money goes back into conservation.
- Do not touch the murals in Caves 2, 16 and 17 — skin oils damage them.
- Take your water bottle out with you; bins on the cliff are emptied rarely.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ellora?
About ₹30 for Indian nationals and ₹500 for foreign nationals, 2026 estimate, with children under 15 free. Still photography is free and video is charged separately. Rates are set by the Archaeological Survey of India and change in steps, so check at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Ellora?
There is no mountain trail — the walk is the cliff itself. The full route from Cave 1 to Cave 34 is about 2 km one way with 100+ steps, taking 3–4 hours with stops. Most people do the shorter Cave 16 to Cave 29 stretch, which is level and takes an hour.
When is the best time to visit Ellora?
October to March: dry, cool mornings and clear light on the carvings. April and May are hot by midday, and June to September brings slippery steps and humidity, though the cliff turns green and the waterfall beside Cave 29 runs (check).
Is Ellora closed on any day?
Yes, the site is closed on Tuesdays. It opens around 9:00 and closes around 17:30 — confirm the current hours at the gate.
How do I get to Ellora from Aurangabad?
Take an MSRTC red bus from the Central Bus Stand, at regular intervals, about 1–1.5 hours (check). A taxi takes 45–60 minutes and can stop at Daulatabad Fort on the way. There is no train station at Ellora.
Can I see Ellora and Ajanta in one day?
It is possible but rushed: Ajanta is a long drive north of Aurangabad and also closes one day a week, so the two sites rarely line up (check). Give each a half day and sleep in Aurangabad between them.
Is Ellora the same as Ajanta?
No. Ajanta, about 100 km away, is older and Buddhist-only, famous for painted murals in dark chaityas (check). Ellora is later, has three faiths on one cliff, and its sculpture is in open daylight — including the Kailasa temple, cut from a single rock.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go