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Caves in Maharashtra

The 34 caves cut of rock are some of the most popular caves in Maharashtra. These caves, carved out of solid rock with only a hammer and chisel, have been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site and are a marvelous sight to behold. Do not miss out on visiting the Kailasha Temple, which has a magnificent architecture and life-sized elephant sculptures to amaze you.

The temple holds religious importance among followers of Lord Shiva as it features his abode at the Kailash Mountain. Embark on a visit to Ajanta Caves to witness its marvelous beauty and spellbinding architecture.

Location: Ajanta Caves Road, Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

Timings: 9 am to 5 pm, open every day except on Mondays.

Entry Fee: INR 600 for foreigners, INR 40 for Indians, INR 15 for children.

The complex artistic sculptures at Ellora Caves are a tourist hotbed, attracting people from all over the world. These caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the sanctuaries dedicated to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism will enchant you.

While the walls feature elaborate and elegantly created sculptures and paintings from different religions, the ones featuring scenes from Hindu mythology are the most dramatic. Erotic depictions and life-sized animal sculptures are the most famous. If you are a cultural buff, the Ellora caves is an unmissable destination.

Location: Khulatabad, Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

Timings: 6 am to 6 pm, every day, except on Tuesdays when the caves are closed.

Entry Fee: INR 600 for foreigners, INR 40 for Indians.

Also known as the Krishna Caves, the Kanheri Caves are tucked away amongst the serene and tranquil surroundings of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, just outside Mumbai. The caves attract tourists from all over the world because of the black basalt stone used in their construction.

They feature a magnificent Buddha sculpture, a statue of Bodhisattva, along with an advanced water management system. One of the caves also features a ceiling painted in brilliant colors. Experience peacefulness and seclusion like never before, in the midst of scenic natural beauty and marvelous Buddhism inspired art and architecture.

Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Timings: 7.30 am to 6.30 pm, open every day except on Mondays.

Entry Fee: INR 5 per person.

Elephanta Caves represent one of the most elegantly crafted caves in Maharashtra. Having been declared a World Heritage Site, the caves are an attractive tourist spot and are dedicated mainly to Hinduism. Cultural buffs can get a peek into Hinduism and Buddhism as the deity Lord Shiva is featured in many forms here along with a section of caves featuring Buddhist sculptures.

The caves are far away from the hustle and bustle of the fast Mumbai life and allow a chance to relax in a peaceful environment. Enjoy the breath-taking view of the Mumbai skyline across the sea from these caves as cool breeze provides you a sense of freedom. You can make the trip to the caves more interesting by trekking there, the scenery along the trek is breath-taking.

Location: Gharapuri, Maharashtra.

Timings: 9 am to 5.30 pm, every day.

Entry Fee: INR 250 for foreigners, INR 10 for Indians.

Just a few kilometers from Mumbai, the Karla Caves are beautifully designed caves cut into the rock on the side of a hill. Perhaps the most enticing feature of the caves is one of the largest and well-preserved prayer hall in India, dated back to the 1st century, and it is decorated with magnificent sculptures of elephants, lions, and other animals.

You will be enticed by the awe-inspiring architecture, which has beautiful arch interiors and vaulted ceilings. The caves are located far away from the city and there are a lot of tourist destinations around if you want to explore around the area.

Location: Karla, Lonavala, Maharashtra.

Timings: 7 am to 7 pm, open every day.

Entry Fee: INR 5 per person.

Bhaja Caves, one of the best examples of the rock-cut architecture prevalent during the 1st-century buildings, are among the oldest caves in India. The 22 caves feature gorgeous sculptures and mesmerizing wall paintings inspired by the Hinayana phase of Buddhism.

Cultural buffs will enjoy the embellishments and animal statues. The architecture is fascinating too – with arched doorways, Mauryan style verandahs, and horseshoe-shaped windows. There is a beautiful waterfall nearby and the Lohagad fort is a favorite among tourists.

Location: Bhaje Caves Road, Near Bhaja Village Maval District, Lonavala.

Timings: 8 am to 6 pm, every day.

Entry Fee: INR 200 for foreigners, INR 15 for Indians.

Though not as popular as the Bhaja and Karla caves, the Bedse Caves have a quaint charm of their own. Explore the two parts Bedse Caves are divided in – the prayer hall and the monastery. Experience grandeur as magnificently sculpted pillars and statues of elephants, bulls, and lions will welcome you at the entry.

The prayer hall has a dome in the center, and the monastery is said to have housed monks in the 1st century. You will experience a calming ambience coupled with unparalleled peace at the place. There are several other small caves in the proximity, with a special hall dedicated to meditation. Visit the Bedse caves to enjoy the serene quality of the environment.

Location: Maval taluka, Pune, Maharashtra.

Timings: 8.30 am to 6 pm, every day.

Entry Fee: INR 5 per person.

One of the most famous caves in Maharashtra, the Lenyadri caves are known for being the birthplace of Lord Ganesha among devotees of the Hindu religion. The Ganesha temple is also famous as one of the shrines in Ashtavinayak Yatra. At first glance, the caves look strange and convoluted, carved into the rock on a hillside.

As you get closer, the magnificent architecture and the beautiful entrance become clearer. Besides the Ganesha temple, there are Buddhist caves at Lenyadri. These caves said to be the residence of monks, are the perfect destination for spending an afternoon amongst natural greenery and beautifully designed sculptures.

Location: Lenyadri Ganapati Road, Junnar, Maharashtra.

Timings: 7 am to 9 pm, every day.

Entry Fee: INR 10 per person.

The 2000 years old caves are rock-cut in the Trivashmi hills and are 24 in number. The beautiful architecture is mesmerizing to the onlookers and the caves feature awe-inspiring sculptures of animals and deities. Built in the traditional Buddhist style and feature gorgeous fountains and informative museums.

You can walk around the mystical caves and enjoy the marvellous design in complete solitude. The walls of the caves are covered by inscriptions written by monks in the 2nd century AD. You will be impressed by the chambers and one-of-their-kind water structures here, which is visited by tourists from all over the world.

Location: Pandav Lene Rd, Buddha Vihar, Pathardi Phata, Nashik, Maharashtra.

Timings: 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, every day.

Entry Fee: INR 2 for adults, free for children.

Created by carving out a single rock, the Pataleshwar Caves reside in the heart of the city and make for a wonderful afternoon spent in the midst of magnificent architectural feats. Explore the temple in the caves as it features a wide array of sculptures devoted to various Hindu Gods.

The walls are gorgeously carved with pictures of deities and some of them are even painted on. There are massive pillars elegantly sculpted, impressive idols of Lord Shiva and his Nandi, and huge circular stones engrave with breathtaking designs. Experience serenity in the temple as it offered a sacred space.

Location: Jangali Maharaj Rd, Revenue Colony, Shivajinagar, Pune, Maharashtra.

Timings: 8 am to 5.30 pm, every day.

Entry Fee: no entry fees.

The 14 caves in Kannad are some of the most picturesque caves in Maharashtra, as they enjoy the spectacular views of the beautiful Western Ghats. As you climb up the stairs to the cave complex, a gorgeous waterfall welcomes you and the pristine water rushes beside you, humming along.

Explore the caves housing a number of viharas and chaityas and beautiful sculptures of magnificent beasts like elephants and lions. Witness the soldiers watching over various areas and the statue of Gaja Lakshmi that overlooks the entire complex. The Pitalkhora Caves also feature an awe-inspiring statue of Yaksha and various gorges where you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon.

Location: Kannad, Chalisgaon, Chandikawadi, Maharashtra.

Timings: 9 am to 5 pm, every day.

Entry Fee: INR 10 for Indians, INR 100 for tourists.

One of the most magnificent caves in Maharashtra, the Aurangabad caves are a cluster of 12, cut out of rock and once acted as shrines for Buddhist monks. Explore this popular tourist destination for their marvelous design, lush greenery encircling them, and the aura of peace and serenity that surrounds the place.

Aurangabad Caves feature Buddhist Gods and Goddesses in various sculptures, along with a breathtaking statue of Buddha himself in the state of Nirvana. The caves are a great source of delight for cultural buffs and Buddhism devotees.

Location: Grishneswar temple Road, Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

Timings: 9 am to 5 pm, every day.

Entry Fee: INR 10 for Indians, INR 100 for foreigners.

Located on the west end of Mumbai, these 19 rock-cut caves are devoted to Buddhism. Unlike other monuments in India, the caves are very clean and spotless. The walls feature inscriptions written in Pali, a variant of Sanskrit and that makes the Mahakali Caves a source of great curiosity for archaeologists and history buffs.

The caves have been carved out of a soft basaltic rock, so some of the sculptures show a little wear and tear. But it is still worth spending a few hours walking in these caverns, enjoying the solitude, and admiring one of the most beautiful examples of rock-cut architecture in India.

Location: Mahakali Caves Rd, Sunder Nagar, Andheri East, Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Timings: 8 am to 5 pm, every day.

Entry Fee: INR 20 per person.

Western Mumbai is home to several forgotten, unconventional tourist places and one of them is the Jogeshwari Caves. The caves are dedicated to Buddhist monks and also feature Lord Shiva as the presiding deity. Enjoy a day wandering in the dimly lit corridors of the caves and explore the statues of various Hindu Gods, beautifully carved pillars, and magnificently adorned walls.

You will also find statues of Lord Ganesha and Lord Hanuman here. Jogeshwari caves are a hotspot for architectural buffs who visit the place to admire the ancient rock-cut designs of the complex.

Location: Gupha Tekdi, Jogeshwari West, Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Timings: 6 am to 6 pm, every day.

Entry Fee: INR 15 for Indians, INR 200 for foreigners.

More than a millennium old and located in the picturesque settings of IC Colony, Mandapeshwar caves are some of the most beautiful Maharashtra caves. The caves were carved of basaltic rock from the Sashti island and feature a wide range of sculptures, most of them some form of Lord Shiva.

There is a Nataraja form of the Lord with the Nandi and there is another panel depicting the wedding of Shiva and Parvati. The architecture of the caves is stunning and it is easy to lose oneself admiring the paintings and panels. Explore some of the most diverse forms of Shiva in the cave and enjoy a day away from the noisy city.

Location: Borivali West, Dahisar West, Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Timings: open 24 hours, every day.

Entry Fee: no entry fee.

One of the most important caves for Parsi devotees, the Bahrot caves are carved into the side of Mount Bahrot and are located at a height of 1500 feet. The caves house a temple complex, the only one for Parsi religion in the area. It is said that the caves housed Parsi ancestors for 13 years as they hid from Muslim invaders here.

Bahrot caves are a protected monument under the Government of India. They feature various artifacts related to Parsi religion, including pottery, glassware, and coins. Enjoy a calm and cool day far away from the hustle and bustle of the city at the caves and experience serenity like never before.

Location: Dhamanagaon, Maharashtra.

Timings: 8 am to 5 pm, every day.

Entry Fee: no entry fee.

Witness the confluence of Buddhist influences and Hindu architecture at one of the most beautiful caves in Maharashtra - the Kharosa caves. Located some 40 kilometers from Latur, the caves feature a large number of panels with mythological creatures from Hindu religion carved in various stories.

There is a magnificent statue as well as a stunning painting of Buddha. There are sculptures of Yaksha, a finely created statue of Lord Dutta, and a gorgeous Shivaling. People travel far and wide to visit the caves because of its religious significance, as well as the calm and peaceful environs the place provides.

Location: Latur, Maharashtra, India.

Timings: 8 am to 1 pm, every day.

Entry Fee: INR 10 for Indians, INR 100 for foreign tourists.

Kondana Caves provide new meaning to solitude and serenity. Located in the middle of deep green jungles and surrounded by groves of tall tropical forests, the caves offer a perfect escape from all that plagues modern lives. The exotic architecture is another reason for visiting the beautiful caves as the complex is carved into the stone and the sculptures and paintings are breathtaking.

A waterfall rushes by near to the caves and then the sound of trickling water adds to the tranquil aura of the complex. Soak in the natural splendor around and enjoy the day letting the calm and peaceful ambiance wash over you.

Location: Kondana, Lonavala, Maharashtra.

Timings: sunrise to sunset, every day.

Entry Fee: no entry fee.

The caves in Shivthar were home to Samarth Ramdas Swami for over 22 years and are therefore some of the most famous caves in Maharashtra. The caves provide the visitor with a serene atmosphere that will make you feel as if you have been transported to a different world.

Enjoy the picturesque views of the Sahyadri mountains and the natural beauty of the dense forests encircling the caves. The architecture of the caves is magnificent and pristine waterfalls sing nearby, giving the place a magical aura.

Location: Mahad, Barasgaon, Maharashtra.

Timings: 7 am to 8 pm, every day.

Entry Fee: no entry fee.

Nestled 400 feet above sea level and on the top of a hill are one of the most beautiful of Maharashtra caves, the Chambharlena Caves. The caves are considered sacred among devotees of Jain religion as they feature a magnificent statue of Teerthraja Gajpantha.

Designed in a spectacular fashion, these caves are a hotspot for cultural buffs, photography lovers, and architects. Enjoy the tranquility of the place and experience an afternoon relishing in the serene ambiance and natural beauty of the place.

Location: Peth Road, Nashik, Maharashtra.

Timings: no timing restrictions.

Entry Fee: no entry fee.