The sheer amount of stone dug out to create this masterpiece from a huge basalt mountain will stun you. The intricate carvings on the pillars and walls will leave you gaping in disbelief. You are likely to come across conspiracy theories that aliens built this structure as the estimated labour and time needed to complete this project seems Herculean. The caves dedicated to Buddhist, Hindu and Jain religions however are a classic representation of the tolerant Indian society. This site also boasts the world's biggest rock-cut monolith, the iconic Kailasa Temple. It stands in an imposing manner just as you step inside the compound. It is said that the mountain was carved from the top all the way to the current ground level and including the digging out of multiple floors inside the temple.
Built after Ajanta, the 34 Ellora caves extend over two km and based on your interest, may take anywhere between a few hours to to multiple trips spread over a few days to explore. The entry gate of this heritage site is marked by messages from Bhagwan Mahavir etched on a marble plaque in Sanskrit, Hindi and English. From the ticket counter, you could hire a licensed guide to visit the caves. On the way out, a restaurant and a beer bar run by Maharashtra Tourism awaits you after a long day's walk through these marvellous structures. The caves are open to visitors between 9 am and 5:30 pm and remains closed on Mondays and national holidays.
Tip: If you seek directions from locals, ask for Verul—local name for Ellora.
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