5 Must-visit Caves in Aurangabad

There’s no way you won’t find the remarkable Ajanta caves in any travel guide to Aurangabad. In fact, an Aurangabad trip is synonymous with a tour of Ajanta Caves. One of India’s oldest UNESCO Heritage sites, Ajanta caves will take you to the 2nd century BC. To place them the most alluring masterpieces of Indian art and architecture won’t be an exaggeration. The cluster of 29 Buddist caves is adorned with stunning paintings, sculptures, intricately detailed carvings on the ceilings and walls and massive pillars. It is astonishing to think how much work must’ve gone into hand-carving them! And that’s the reason why Ajanta caves are the epitome of craftsmanship and artistic brilliance.

With an exceptional collection of Chaityas (chapels) and Viharas (monasteries), these caves are noteworthy for their religious significance as well. Ajanta, considered the triumph of Buddhist religious art, recounts the life of Lord Buddha and his tales. Astonishingly carved and well-preserved, Ajanta caves are no doubt one of the most significant and biggest caves in Aurangabad.

Standing as a testament to Indian history and brilliant artistry of the bygone era, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is among the country’s most fascinating archaeological wonders. The uninterrupted sequence of 100 rock-cut caves has gained the reputation of one of the largest caves in Aurangabad. That being said, remember, only 34 are accessible to the public. Among those 34, 12 caves are dedicated to Buddhism, 17 to Hinduism and 5 to Jainism. If you look closely, you will find beautiful motifs and figures intricately carved on stone walls. Partly built during the Rashtrakuta dynasty (Hindu and Buddhist caves) and Yadava dynasty (Jain caves), Ellora caves are indeed one of the best wonders of the world.

Honestly, there’s so much to explore and witness that you can never have enough of this place! But the primary draw of Ellora caves remains to be Cave 16. Why? Because cave 16 features the Kailash Temple. Carved from a single monolithic rock, this temple is an imposing architectural marvel, representing mount Kailash, the Himalayan abode of Lord Shiva. And more surprisingly, the temple was built from top to down with hammers and chisels. Believe us, you will be intrigued by the sheer craftsmanship of Ellora Caves, the longest caves in Aurangabad. Oh, we almost forgot to talk about the Ellora Ajanta Festival, held during the month of October at Soneri Mahal. The festival celebrates the Indian classical form of art through dance and musical performances. It is indeed the best time to experience the true glory of these historic sites.

Get ready to be amazed by the ancient architecture and religious significance of the exquisite Aurangabad caves! They are a fascinating set of 12 Buddist caves dating back to the 3rd century AD. Nestled between the protective cover of the Sihyachal ranges, it is hands down one of the best places to visit in Aurangabad. What’s really remarkable is the influence of Tantric Buddhism here. While exploring the magnificent caves, you will be able to examine several carvings and sculptures of Buddhist deities, some of them belonging to the Tantra tradition. According to various historians and experts, Caves 3 and 7 are the most intriguing and shouldn’t be missed.

Apart from the architectural marvel, we cannot boast enough about the spectacular panorama view of the city space you can witness from here. Situated behind the renowned Bibi-ka-Maqbara, these are among the most popular caves in Aurangabad.

Off-the-beaten-track, Pitalkhora caves rank high on the list of important caves in Aurangabad. Comprising 14 rock-cut cave monuments, the caves belong to the 2nd century BC. Here, you can discover ancient paintings, sculptures, animal motifs, Yaksha and Nithuna figures. While the architecture brilliance is a delight for history buffs, the pristine location treats nature lovers. Due to its position in the Satmala Range of Western Ghats, the Pitalkhora Caves are located in a deep valley. That means one has to descend steep steps, cross cascading waterfalls and dense greenery to reach there! Doesn’t it sound so exciting!

Well, there’s more! The Daulatabad Fort in Maharashtra is located close to the caves, along with other popular attractions. So, you can make a day trip and visit the fort after exploring the caves!

Another historic gem in the Aurangabad district, Ghatotkacha Caves, is the final destination on our Aurangabad’s largest caves list. Cut out in the 6th century, these caves feature three Buddhist caves, out of which two are viharas and one is a chaitya. The Buddhist caves stand out because they have the most extensive prayer hall in the region. But, the best part is the journey to these caves which is a delight for adventure lovers. You will have to go down steep steps and pass through rugged terrain to witness the architectural grandeur of this place.

Once you have reached the caves, explore all you want. Then, head to the nearby waterfall. If you ask us, we will suggest you visit the caves during the monsoon. Because at that time, the waterfall and the surroundings are at their best.

Now you know why Aurangabad is one of the places history buffs and culture enthusiasts always look forward to. You will have a fun time too! So, don’t wait any longer and start preparing your itinerary for an unforgettable cave tour to Aurangabad.