Ellora caves - Wikipedia Ellora caves Ellora Caves Cave 16 of the Kailasanatha Temple, viewed from the top of the rock Location Maharashtra, India Coordinates 20 ° 01 ′ 36 '' N 75 ° 10 ′ 38 '' E ﻿ / ﻿ 20.0268 ° N 75.1771 ° E ﻿ / 20.0268 ; 75.1771 Coordinates : 20 ° 01 ′ 36 '' N 75 ° 10 ′ 38 '' E ﻿ / ﻿ 20.0268 ° N 75.1771 ° E ﻿ / 20.0268 ; 75.1771 UNESCO World Heritage Site Type Cultural Criteria i, iii, vi Designated 1983 ( 7th session ) Reference no. 243 UNESCO Region Asia - Pacific Location of Ellora Caves in Maharashtra Ellora Caves ( India ) Show map of Maharashtra Show map of India Show all Pilgrimage to Buddha 's Holy Sites The Four Main Sites Bodh Gaya Kushinagar Lumbini Sarnath Four Additional Sites Rajgir Sankassa Shravasti Vaishali Other Sites Amaravathi Chandavaram Devadaha Gaya Kapilavastu Kesaria Kosambi Nalanda Pataliputra Pava Varanasi Later Sites Ajanta Caves Barabar Caves Bharhut Ellora Caves Lalitgiri Mathura Pandavleni Caves Piprahwa Ratnagiri Sanchi Udayagiri Vikramashila Ellora ( e-ˈlȯr - ə , IAST : Vērūḷ ), located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India, is one of the largest rock - cut monastery - temple cave complexes in the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments, and artwork, dating from the 600 - 1000 CE period. Cave 16, in particular, features the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world, the Kailasha temple, a chariot shaped monument dedicated to Shiva. The Kailasha temple excavation also features the gods, goddesses, and mythologies found in Vaishnavism, Shaktism as well as relief panels summarizing the two major Hindu Epics. There are over 100 caves at the site, all excavated from the basalt cliffs in the Charanandri Hills, 34 of which are open to public. These consist of 12 Buddhist ( caves 1 -- 12 ), 17 Hindu ( caves 13 -- 29 ) and 5 Jain ( caves 30 -- 34 ) caves, with each group representing deities and mythologies that were prevalent in the 1st millennium CE, as well as monasteries of each respective religion. They were built in proximity to one another and illustrate the religious harmony that existed in ancient India. All of the Ellora monuments were built during Hindu dynasties such as the Rashtrakuta dynasty, which constructed part of the Hindu & Buddhist caves, and the Yadava dynasty, which constructed a number of the Jain caves. Funding for the construction of the monuments was provided by royals, traders and the wealthy of the region. Although the caves served as monasteries, temples and a rest stop for pilgrims, its location on an ancient South Asian trade route also made it an important commercial centre in the Deccan region. It is 29 kilometres ( 18 miles ) north - west of Aurangabad, and about 300 kilometres ( 190 miles ) east - northeast of Mumbai. Today, the Ellora Caves, along with the nearby Ajanta Caves, are a major tourist attraction in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra and a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India. Contents 1 Etymology 2 Location 3 Chronology 4 The Buddhist monuments : Caves 1 - 12 4.1 The Vishvakarma Cave 5 The Hindu monuments : Caves 13 - 29 5.1 Early Hindu temples : Dhumar Lena, Cave 29 5.2 Rameshwar temple, Cave 21 5.3 The Kailaśa temple : Cave 16 5.4 The Dashavatara : Cave 15 5.5 Other Hindu caves 6 The Jain monuments : Caves 30 - 34 6.1 Chotta Kailasha : Cave 30 6.2 Cave 31 6.3 The Indra Sabha : Cave 32 6.4 The Jagannatha Sabha : Cave 33 6.5 Cave 34 7 Visitors, desecration and damage 8 Ellora inscriptions 9 See also 10 References 10.1 Bibliography 11 External links Etymology Ellora, also called Verul or Elura, is the short form of the ancient name Elapura. The older form of the name has been found in ancient references such as the Baroda inscription of 812 CE which mentions `` the greatness of this edifice '' and that `` this great edifice was built on a hill by Krishnaraja at Elapura ''. The edifice in the inscription being the Kailasa temple ( Cave 16 ). In the Indian tradition, each cave is named and has a suffix Guha ( Sanskrit ), Lena or Leni ( Marathi ), meaning cave. Location Ellora Caves, general map ( the rock is depicted as dark green ). The Ellora caves are located in the Indian state of Maharashtra about 29 kilometres ( 18 miles ) northwest from the city of Aurangabad, 300 kilometres ( 190 miles ) east - northeast from Mumbai, and about 100 kilometres ( 62 miles ) west from the Ajanta Caves. Ellora occupies a relatively flat rocky region of the Western Ghats, where ancient volcanic activity in this area had created multilayered basalt formations, known as the Deccan Traps. The volcanic activity that formed the west - facing cliff, which houses the Ellora caves, occurred during the Cretaceous period. The resulting vertical face made access to many layers of rock formations easier, enabling architects to pick basalt with finer grains for more detailed sculpting. Chronology The construction at Ellora has been studied since British colonial rule. However, the overlapping styles between the Buddhist, Hindu and Jaina caves has made it difficult to establish agreement concerning the chronology of their construction. The disputes generally concern : one, whether the Buddhist or Hindu caves were carved first and, two, the relative dating of caves within a particular tradition. The broad consensus that has emerged is based on comparing the carving styles, at Ellora, to other cave temples in the Deccan region that have been dated, textual records of various dynasties, and epigraphical evidence found at various archaeological sites near Ellora and elsewhere in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka. Geri Hockfield Malandra, and other scholars, has stated that the Ellora caves had three important building periods : an early Hindu period ( ~ 550 to 600 CE ), a Buddhist phase ( ~ 600 to 730 CE ) and a later Hindu, and Jain, phase ( ~ 730 to 950 CE ). The earliest caves may have been built during the Traikutakas and Vakataka dynasties, the latter being known for sponsoring the Ajanta caves. However, it is considered likely that some of the earliest caves, such as Cave 29 ( Hindu ), were built by the Shiva - inspired Kalachuri dynasty, while the Buddhist caves were built by the Chalukya dynasty. The later Hindu caves and early Jaina caves were built by the Rashtrakuta dynasty, while the last Jaina caves were built by the Yadava dynasty, which had also sponsored other Jaina cave temples. The Buddhist monuments : caves 1 - 12 Cave no. 11 ( above ) and 12 are three storey monasteries cut out of a rock, with Vajrayana iconography inside. These caves are located on the southern side and were built either between 630 - 700 CE, or 600 - 730 CE. It was initially thought that the Buddhist caves were the earliest structures that were created between the fifth and eighth centuries, with caves 1 - 5 in the first phase ( 400 - 600 ) and 6 - 12 in the later phase ( 650 - 750 ), but modern scholarship now considers the construction of Hindu caves to have been before the Buddhist caves. The earliest Buddhist cave is Cave 6, then 5, 2, 3, 5 ( right wing ), 4, 7, 8, 10 and 9, with caves 11 and 12, also known as Do Thal and Tin Thal respectively, being the last. Plan of Cave No. 5 ( Mahawara Cave ) Eleven out of the twelve Buddhist caves consist of viharas, or monasteries with prayer halls : large, multi-storeyed buildings carved into the mountain face, including living quarters, sleeping quarters, kitchens, and other rooms. The monastery caves have shrines including carvings of Gautama Buddha, bodhisattvas and saints. In some of these caves, sculptors have endeavoured to give the stone the look of wood. Caves 5, 10, 11 and 12 are architecturally important Buddhist caves. Cave 5 is unique among the Ellora caves as it was designed as a hall with a pair of parallel refectory benches in the centre and a Buddha statue in the rear. This cave, and Cave 11 of the Kanheri Caves, are the only two Buddhist caves in India arranged in such a way. Caves 1 through 9 are all monasteries while Cave 10, the Vīśvakarmā Cave, is a major Buddhist prayer hall. Numerous tantric Buddhist goddesses are carved in Ellora Cave 12. Caves 11 and 12 are three - storied Mahayana monastery caves with idols, mandalas carved into the walls, and numerous goddesses, and Bodhisattva - related iconography, belonging to Vajrayana Buddhism. These are compelling evidence to suggest that Vajrayana and Tantra ideas of Buddhism were well established in South Asia by the 8th century CE. The Vishvakarma cave Notable among the Buddhist caves is Cave 10, a chaitya worship hall called the ' Vishvakarma cave ' ( literally the cave of one who accomplishes everything, or the architect of the gods ), built around 650 CE. It is also known as the `` Carpenter 's Cave '', because the rock has been given a finish that has the appearance of wooden beams. Beyond its multi-storeyed entry is a cathedral - like stupa hall also known as chaitya - griha ( prayer house ). At the heart of this cave is a 15 - foot statue of Buddha seated in a preaching pose. A part of the Carpenter 's cave ( Buddhist Cave 10 ) Cave 10 combines a vihara with a chapel - like worship hall that has eight subsidiary cells, four in the back wall and four in the right, as well as a portico in the front. It is the only dedicated chaitya griha amongst the Buddhist caves and is constructed along similar lines to Caves 19 and 26 of Ajanta. Cave 10 also features a gavaksha, or chandrashala, arched window and a side connection to Cave 9 of Ellora. The main hall of the Visvakarma cave is apsidal in plan and is divided into a central nave and side aisles by 28 octagonal columns with plain bracket capitals. In the apsidal end of the chaitya hall is a stupa on the face of which a colossal high seated Buddha in vyakhyana mudra ( teaching posture ). A large Bodhi tree is carved at his back. The hall has a vaulted roof in which ribs ( known as triforium ) have been carved in the rock imitating the wooden ones. The friezes above the pillars are Naga queens, and the extensive relief artwork shows characters such as entertainers, dancers and musicians. The front of the prayer hall is a rock - cut court entered via a flight of steps. The entrance of the Cave has a carved facade decorated with numerous Indian motifs including apsaras and meditating monks. On either side of the upper level are pillared porticos with small rooms in their back walls. The pillared verandah of the chaitya has a small shrine at either end and a single cell in the far end of the back wall. The corridor columns have massive squared shafts and ghata - pallava ( vase and foliage ) capitals. The various levels of Cave 10 also feature idols of male and female deities, such as Maitreya, Tara, Avalokitesvara ( Vajradhamma ), Manjusri, Bhrkuti and Mahamayuri, carved in the Pala dynasty style found in eastern regions of India. Some southern Indian influences can also be found in various works in this cave. The Hindu monuments : caves 13 - 29 Parvati and Dancing Shiva ( right ) in an Ellora cave. The Hindu caves were constructed during the Kalachuris period, from the mid 6th century to the end of the 8th century in two phases. Nine cave temples were excavated early in the 6th century, followed by a further four caves ( caves 17 -- 29 ). Work first commenced, in order, on Caves 28, 27 and 19 then Caves 29 and 21, which were excavated concurrently with Caves 20 and 26. Caves 17 and 28 were the last ones to be started. The later caves, 14, 15 and 16, were constructed during the Rashtrakuta period, some being dated to between the 8th to 10th centuries. Work first began in Caves 14 and 15 with Cave 16, the world 's largest monolith, being the last of the three to be constructed. These caves were completed in the 8th - century with the support of king Krishna I. Early Hindu temples : Dhumar Lena, cave 29 View from Cave 29, Ellora Construction in the early Hindu caves commenced before any of the Buddhist or Jaina caves. These early caves were generally dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, although the iconography suggests that the artisans gave other gods and goddesses of Hinduism prominent and equal reverence. A common feature of these cave temples was a rock cut linga - yoni within the core of the shrine with each being surrounded by a space for circumambulation ( parikrama ). Cave 29, also called Dhumar Lena, is one of earliest excavations in Ellora and among the largest. Early Hindu temple building in the cave centred around the `` Vale Ganga '', a natural waterfall that was integrated into the monument. The waterfall is visible from a rock carved balcony to the south and has been described as `` falling over great Shiva 's brow '', particularly during monsoon season. The carvings in this cave are larger than life size but, according to author Dhavalikar, they are `` corpulent, stumpy with disproportionate limbs '' compared to those found in other Ellora caves. Rameshwar temple, cave 21 Goddess Ganga at the entrance of Ellora Cave 21. Cave 21, also called Rameshwar Lena, is another early excavation whose construction has been credited to the Kalachuri dynasty. The cave was completed prior to the ascension of Rashtrakuta dynasty which went on to expand the caves at Ellora Although the cave features similar works to those in other Ellora caves, it also has a number of unique pieces, such as those depicting the story of goddess Parvati 's pursuit of Shiva. Carvings depicting Parvati and Shiva at leisure, Parvati 's wedding to Shiva, Shiva dancing and Kartikeya ( Skanda ) have been found in other caves. The cave also features a large display of the Sapta Matrika, the seven mother goddesses of the Shakti tradition of Hinduism, flanked on either side by Ganesha and Shiva. Inside the temple are other goddesses important to Shakti tradition, for example the Durga. The entrance to Cave 21 is flanked by large sculptures of the goddesses Ganga and Yamuna representing the two major Himalayan rivers and their significance to the Indian culture. The cave is laid out symmetrically according to the mandapa square principle and has embedded geometric patterns repeated throughout the cave. The Shiva linga at the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is equidistant from the major statues of goddesses Ganga and Yamuna, with all three set in an equilateral triangle. According to Carmel Berkson, this layout likely symbolizes the Brahman -- Prakriti relationship, the interdependence of the masculine and the feminine energies, that is central to Hindu theology. The Kailasa temple : cave 16 Main article : Kailasa temple, Ellora Kailash temple at Ellora. Right : James Fergusson 's 19th century drawing of the temple. Cave 16, known as the Kailasa temple, is a particularly notable cave temple in India as a result of its size, architecture and having been entirely carved out of a single rock. The Kailasha temple, inspired by Mount Kailasha, is dedicated to Shiva. It is modeled along similar lines to other Hindu temples with a gateway, an assembly hall, a multi-storey main temple surrounded by numerous shrines laid out according to the square principle, an integrated space for circumambulation, a garbha - grihya ( sanctum sanctorum ) wherein resides the linga - yoni, and a spire shaped like Mount Kailash -- all carved from one rock. Other shrines carved from the same rock are dedicated to Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, the ten avatars of Vishnu, Vedic gods and goddesses including Indra, Agni, Vayu, Surya and Usha, as well as non-Vedic deities like Ganesha, Ardhanarishvara ( half Shiva, half Parvati ), Harihara ( half Shiva, half Vishnu ), Annapurna, Durga and others. The basement level of the temple features numerous Shaiva, Vaishnava and Shakti works ; a notable set of carvings include the twelve episodes from the childhood of Krishna, an important element of Vaishnavism. The structure is a freestanding, multi-level temple complex covering an area twice the size of the Parthenon in Athens. It is estimated that the artists removed three million cubic feet of stone, weighing approximately 200,000 tonnes, to excavate the temple. The construction of the temple has been attributed to the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I ( r. 756 - 773 CE ), but elements of Pallava architecture have also been noted. The dimensions of the courtyard are 82 meters by 46 meters at the base, and 30 meters high ( 280 x 160 x 106 feet ). The entrance features a low gopuram. The central shrine housing the lingam features a flat - roofed mandapa supported by 16 pillars, and a Dravidian shikhara. An image of Shiva 's mount Nandi ( the sacred bull ) stands on a porch in front of the temple. Two of the walls in the main temple house rows of carvings depicting the Mahabharata, along the north side, and the Ramayana, on the south side. The Kailasha temple is considered a highly notable example of temple construction from 1st millennium Indian history, and was called, by Carmel Berkson, `` a wonder of the world '' among rock - cut monuments. The Dashavatara : cave 15 Vishnu at the Dashavatara Ellora temple. The Dashavatara temple, or Cave 15, is another significant excavation that was completed sometime after Cave 14 ( Ravan ki Khai, Hindu ). Cave 15 has cells and a layout plan that are similar to Buddhist Caves 11 and 12, which suggests this cave was intended to be a Buddhist cave ; however, the presence of non Buddhist features, such as a Nrtya Mandapa ( an Indian classical dance pavilion ) at its entrance, indicated otherwise. According to James Harle, Hindu images have been found in Buddhist Cave 11, while many Hindu deities have been incorporated in Buddhist caves of the region. This overlap in disparate designs between Buddhist and Hindu caves may be due to the sites being worked on by the same architects and workers, or perhaps a planned Buddhist cave was adapted into a Hindu monument. According to Geri Malandra, all the Buddhist caves at Ellora were an intrusion in a place that was already an established Brahmanical Tirtha ( Hindu pilgrimage site ), and not the other way around. Furthermore, given that both the Hindu and Buddhist caves were predominantly anonymous, with no donative inscriptions having been discovered for the Buddhist Ellora caves other than those of Hindu dynasties that built them, the original intent and nature of these cave temples is speculative. An early 19th - century painting of Ellora Cave 15. The Hindu temple housed in Cave 15 has an open court with a free - standing monolithic mandapa at the middle and a two - storeyed excavated temple at the rear. Large sculptural panels between the wall columns on the upper floor illustrate a wide range of themes, including the ten avatars of Vishnu. An inscription of Dantidurga, critical to establishing the age of the temple, is on the back wall of the front mandapa. According to Coomaraswamy, the finest relief of this cave is the one depicting the death of Hiranyakashipu, where Vishnu in man - lion ( Narasimha ) form, emerges from a pillar to lay a fatal hand upon his shoulder. Other reliefs in Cave 15 include the Gangadhara, marriage of Shiva and Parvati, Tripurantika of Shakti tradition, Markendeya, Garuda, aspects of life, Nandi in mandapa, dancing Shiva, Andhakasura, Govardhanadhari, Gajendravarada and others. The panels are arranged in dyads, which states Carmel Berkson, reinforce each other by displaying `` cooperative but also antagonistic energy '' with a mutuality of power transference. Other Hindu caves Other notable Hindu caves are the Ravan ki Khai ( Cave 14 ) and the Nilkantha ( Cave 22 ), both of which house numerous sculptures, Cave 25 in particular features a carving of Surya in its ceiling. The Jain monuments : caves 30 - 34 Lord Mahavira Goddess Sidaika At the north end of Ellora are the five Jain caves belonging to the Digambara sect, which were excavated in the ninth and early tenth centuries. These caves are smaller than the Buddhist and Hindu caves but nonetheless feature highly detailed carvings. They, and the later era Hindu caves, were built at a similar time and both share architectural and devotional ideas such as a pillared veranda, symmetric mandapa and puja ( worship ). However, unlike the Hindu temples, emphasis is placed on the depiction of the twenty four Jinas ( spiritual conquerors who have gained liberation from the endless cycle of rebirths ). In addition to these Jinas, the works at the Jain temples include carvings of gods and goddesses, yaksa ( male nature deity ), yaksi ( female nature deity ) and human devotees prevalent in Jaina mythology of 1st millennium CE. Shikhar of Indra Sabha According to Jose Pereira, the five caves were actually 23 distinct excavations, over different periods. A 13 of these are in Indra Sabha, 6 in Jagannatha Sabha and rest in the Chhota Kailash. Pareira used numerous sources to conclude that the Jain caves at Ellora likely began in late 8th - century, with construction and excavation activity extending beyond the 10th century and into the 13th century before coming to a halt with the invasion of the region by the Delhi Sultanate. This is evidenced by votive inscriptions dated to 1235 CE, where the donor states to have `` converted Charanadri into a holy tirtha '' for Jains by gifting the excavation of lordly Jinas. Particularly important Jain shrines are the Chhota Kailash ( cave 30, 4 excavations ), the Indra Sabha ( cave 32, 13 excavations ) and the Jagannath Sabha ( cave 33, 4 excavations ) ; cave 31 is an unfinished four - pillared hall, and shrine. Cave 34 is a small cave, which can be accessed through an opening in the left side of Cave 33. The Jain caves contain some of the earliest Samavasarana images among its devotional carvings. The Samavasarana is of particular importance to Jains being the hall where the Tirthankara preaches after attaining Kevala Jnana ( liberating omniscience ). Another interesting feature found in these caves is the pairing of sacred figures in Jainism, specifically Parsvanatha and Bahubali, which appear 19 times. Other artwork of significance include those of deities Sarasvati, Sri, Saudharmendra, Sarvanubhuti, Gomukha, Ambika, Cakresvari, Padmavati, Ksetrapala and Hanuman. Chotta Kailasha : cave 30 Chotta Kailasha The Chotta Kailasha, or the little Kailasha, is so named due to the similarity of the carvings to those in the Kailasha temple. This temple was likely built in the early 9th century, concurrent with the construction of the lower level of the Indra Sabha, some decades after the completion of the Kailasha Temple. It features two larger - than - life size reliefs of dancing Indra, one with 8 arms and another with 12, both adorned with ornaments and a crown ; Indra 's arms are shown in various mudra reminiscent of the dancing Shiva artworks found in nearby Hindu caves. However, the iconography has several differences that indicate this cave shows a dancing Indra and not a dancing Shiva. The Indra panels at the entrance also feature other deities, celestials, musicians and dancers. Art historian Lisa Owen has raised questions concerning whether music and dance were part of 9th century Jainism considering given that Jain theology focuses on meditative asceticism. Rajan, for example, has proposed that Cave 30 may have originally been a Hindu monument that was later converted into a Jaina temple. However, Owen suggests that the celebration - filled artwork in this temple is better understood as part of the Samavasarana doctrine in Jainism. The overlap between Jain and Hindu mythologies has caused confusion, given Book Three of the Hindu Mahabharata describes Indra 's abode as one filled with a variety of heroes, courtesans and artisans, within a paradise - like setting. This imagery is repeated throughout Cave 30, similar to the Hindu caves, setting the context of the temple. However, the symbolism closer to the centre of the temple is more aligned with the core ideas of Jainism ; a greater prevalence of meditating images and Jinas -- the place where the Jain devotee would perform his or her ritual abhisheka ( worship ). Cave 31 Mahavira with yaksha Matanga and yakshi Siddhaiki Cave 31, consisting of four pillars, a small shrine a number of carvings, was not completed. Carvings of Parshvanatha, guarded by yaksha Dharanendra with his 7 hoods, and Gommateshvara were made into the left and right walls of the hall, respectively, while within the shrine resides an idol of Vardhamana Mahavir Swami. The idol is seated in a padmasan position on a lion - throne and a chakra is seen in the middle panel of the throne. The figure of yaksha Matanga on an elephant is on the left side of shrine while one of yakshi Siddhaiki, seated in savya - lalitasana on a lion with a child on her lap, is on the right. The Indra Sabha : cave 32 Indra Sabha Temple The Indra Sabha ( Cave 32 ), excavated in the 9th century, is a two - storey cave with a monolithic shrine in its court. 19th - century historians confused the Jain Yaksas for alternate images of Indra that were found in Buddhist and Hindu artworks, thus leading to the temple being given the misnomer `` Indra Sabha ''. Indra is an important deity in all three major religions, but is of particular importance in Jainism as not only is he one of 64 deities who reign over the heavens, he is, specifically, the king of the first Jain heaven, Saudharmakalpa, and the chief architect of the celestial assembly hall according to the Adipurana, a Jain holy text. Painting in Cave 32 The Indra Sabha Jain temple is historically significant as it contains evidence, in the form of layered deposits and textual records, of active worship inside by the Jain community. In particular, rituals were known to have been held in the upper level, where the artwork may have played a central role. As with many caves in Ellora, numerous carvings adorn the temple, such as those of the lotus flower on the ceiling. On the upper level of the shrine, excavated at the rear of the court, is an image of Ambika, the yakshini of Neminath, seated on her lion under a mango tree, laden with fruit. The centre of the shrine presents Sarvatobhadra, where four Tirthankaras of Jainism -- Rshibha ( 1st ), Neminatha ( 22nd ), Parsvanatha ( 23rd ) and Mahavira ( 24th ) are aligned to the cardinal directions, forming a place of worship for devotees. The Jagannatha Sabha : cave 33 Carvings on the pillars of the Jagannatha Sabha The Jagannatha Sabha ( Cave 33 ) is the second largest Jain cave at Ellora and dates to the 9th century according to the inscriptions on the pillars. It is a two storeyed cave with twelve massive pillars and elephant heads projecting towards a porch, all carved from a single rock. The hall has two heavy square pillars in front, four in the middle area, and a pillared interior square principle hall with fluted shafts, all intricately carved with capitals, ridges and brackets. Inside the major idols are of Parshvanatha and Mahavira, the last two Tirthankaras in Jainism. Cave 34 Goddess Ambika sitting on a lion, Cave 34 Certain inscriptions in Cave 34, or J26 according to historian José Pereira, are not deciphered as yet but were likely to have been executed between 800 and 850 CE. Other inscriptions, such as the one by Sri Nagavarma, are thought to date from the 9th or 10th century. This cave features a large seated Parshvanatha Jina with four camara attendants, two of whom hold fly - whisks and seemingly emerge from the back of the Jina 's throne. As with many other Jain excavations, a large pair of yaksa - yaksi is also found in this cave near the Jina. In the back of the cave is a bearded figure with a bowl containing round sacrificial offerings, which have shapes reminiscent of pindas ( rice balls ) or laddus ( sweetmeat ). This suggests the scene may be related to Jain devotional worship, possibly a shraddha ceremony. The Parshvanatha in the cave is paired with a standing Gommateshvara, and accompanied by other carvings showing musicians playing a variety of instruments such as horns, drums, conchs, trumpets, and cymbals. A particularly notable feature of the cave is a giant, open lotus carving on its ceiling and rooftop, which is found in only one other Jain excavation and one Hindu Cave 25 in all of Ellora. The placement of the lotus on the cave rather than a sculpture symbolizes that the temple is a divine place. Visitors, desecration and damage There have been several records written in the centuries following their completion indicating these caves were visited regularly, particularly as it was within sight of a trade route ; for example, Ellora was known to have been frequented by Buddhist monks in the 9th and 10th centuries. It is mistakenly referred to by the 10th century Baghdad resident Al - Mas'udi, as `` Aladra '', site of a great temple, a place of Indian pilgrimage and one with thousands of cells where devotees live ; in 1352 CE, the records of Ala - ud - Din Bahman Shah mention him camping at the site. Other records were written by Firishta, Thevenot ( 1633 -- 67 ), Niccolao Manucci ( 1653 - 1708 ), Charles Warre Malet ( 1794 ), and Seely ( 1824 ). Some accounts acknowledge the importance of Ellora but make inaccurate statements regarding its construction ; for example, a description of the caves by Venetian traveller Niccolao Manucci, whose Mughal history was well received in France, wrote that the Ellora caves ``... were executed by the ancient Chinese '' based on his assessment of the workmanship and what he had been told. Ellora was a well - known site in Mughal times : the emperor Aurangzeb used to picnic there with his family, as did other Mughal nobles. Mustaid Khan, a courtier of Aurangzeb, stated that people visited the area in all seasons but especially during the monsoon. He also spoke of `` many kinds of images with lifelike forms '' carved on all the ceilings and walls, but noted that the monuments themselves were in a state of `` desolation in spite of its strong foundations. '' Typical damage to idols centre around the face, nose, breasts and limbs. Desecrated statues in a Hindu Cave ( left ) and a Buddhist Cave. The Lalitacaritra, a Marathi text dated to the late 13th century CE, is the first report stating that active use of Ellora ceased in the 13th century. Islamic court records indicated that Deogiri, the capital of the Yadava dynasty, and situated about 10 kilometers from Ellora, had come under sustained attack during this period and subsequently fell to the Delhi Sultanate in 1294 CE. According to José Pareira, there is evidence that work in the Jain caves at Ellora had flourished under Singhana, who ruled the Yadava dynasty between ~ 1200 - 1247 CE, and these caves were in use by Jaina visitors and worshippers into the 13th - century. However, Jain religious activity ceased after the region came under Islamic rule in the late 13th century. The Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments at Ellora show substantial damage, particularly to the idols, whereas intricate carvings on the pillars, and of natural objects on the walls, remain intact. The desecration of idols and images was traced to the 15th to 17th centuries when this region of the Deccan peninsula was subjected to iconoclasm by Muslim armies. According to Geri Malandra, such devastation by Muslims stemmed from the perceived offense caused by `` the graphic, anthropomorphic imagery of Hindu and Buddhist shrines ''. Muslim historians of the Islamic Sultanate period mention Ellora in their descriptions of the widespread damage and fanatical destruction of idols and artwork of the region, with some Muslims of this era being known to have expressed concern regarding the wanton damage and `` deplored it as a violation of beauty '', according to Carl Ernst. Ellora inscriptions Several inscriptions at Ellora date from the 6th century onwards, the best known of which is an inscription by Rashtrakuta Dantidurga ( c. 753 - 57 A.D. ) on the back wall of the front mandapa of Cave 15 stating that he had offered prayers at that temple. Jagannatha Sabha, Jain cave 33, has 3 inscriptions that give the names of monks and donors, while a Parshvanath temple on the hill has an 11th - century inscription that gives the name of a donor from Vardhanapura. The Great Kailasa temple ( Cave 16 ) is attributed to Krishna I ( c. 757 - 83 A.D. ), the successor and uncle of Dantidurga. A copper plate inscription found in Baroda, Gujarat, states that a great edifice was built on a hill by Krishnaraja at Elapura ( Ellora ) :... was caused to be constructed a temple on the hill at Elapura, of wonderful structure, on seeing which the best of immortals who move in celestial cars, struck with astonishment, say `` This temple of Shiva is self - existent ; in a thing made by art such beauty is not seen (... ). The architect builder of which (... ) was himself suddenly struck with astonishment, saying `` Oh, how was it that I built it ! '' -- Karkaraja II copper inscription, 812 CE See also Ajanta Caves Badami Cave Temples Barabar Caves Elephanta Caves Indian rock - cut architecture List Of Colossal Sculpture In Situ Pitalkhora Caves List of rock cut temples in India Tourism in India Tourism in Marathwada Udayagiri Caves References Jump up ^ Owen 2012, pp. 1 -- 2. ^ Jump up to : `` Ellora Caves - UNESCO World Heritage Centre ''. Whc.unesco.org. 2008 - 03 - 06. Retrieved 2010 - 08 - 12., Quote : `` These 34 monasteries and temples, extending over more than 2 km, were dug side by side in the wall of a high basalt cliff, not far from Aurangabad, in Maharashtra. Ellora, with its uninterrupted sequence of monuments dating from A.D. 600 to 1000, brings the civilization of ancient India to life. Not only is the Ellora complex a unique artistic creation and a technological exploit but, with its sanctuaries devoted to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, it illustrates the spirit of tolerance that was characteristic of ancient India. '' ^ Jump up to : World Heritage Sites - Ellora Caves, Archeological Survey of India ( 2011 ), Government of India Jump up ^ John Stratton Hawley ( 1981 ), Scenes from the Childhood of Kṛṣṇa on the Kailāsanātha Temple, Ellora, Archives of Asian Art, Vol. 34 ( 1981 ), pages 74 - 90 ^ Jump up to : M.K. Dhavalikar ( 1982 ), KAILASA -- THE STYLISTIC DEVELOPMENT AND CHRONOLOGY, Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute, Vol. 41, pages 33 - 45 ^ Jump up to : Lisa Owen ( 2012 ). Carving Devotion in the Jain Caves at Ellora. BRILL Academic. pp. 1 -- 10. ISBN 978 - 9004206298. ^ Jump up to : Norbert C. Brockman ( 2011 ). Encyclopedia of Sacred Places, 2nd Edition. ABC - CLIO. pp. 155 -- 156. ISBN 978 - 1 - 59884 - 655 - 3. Jump up ^ Time Life Lost Civilizations series : Ancient India : Land Of Mystery ( 1994 ) Jump up ^ Gopal, Madan ( 1990 ). K.S. Gautam, ed. India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 178. ^ Jump up to : Pandit 2013. Jump up ^ `` Ellora Caves ''. Retrieved 2012 - 05 - 19. Jump up ^ World Heritage Series ELLORA, Archaeological Survey of India, Government of India, Page 6. ISBN 81 - 87780 - 43 - 6. Printed by GoodEarth Publications, Eicher GoodEarth Limited @ Thomson Press, New Delhi Jump up ^ Pia Brancaccio 2013, p. 2. Jump up ^ `` Geology of Ellora ''. ellora.ind.in. Archived from the original on 9 December 2010. Jump up ^ Walter M. Spink ( 1967 ). Ajanta to Ellora. Marg Publications. pp. 3 -- 4, 35 -- 40. OCLC 648366740. ^ Jump up to : Geri Hockfield Malandra ( 1993 ). Unfolding A Mandala : The Buddhist Cave Temples at Ellora. State University of New York Press. pp. 5 -- 7. ISBN 978 - 0 - 7914 - 1355 - 5. Jump up ^ Owen 2012, pp. 109 -- 110. Jump up ^ Owen 2012, pp. 7 -- 9. Jump up ^ Geri Malandra ( 1996 ). `` The Mandala at Ellora / Ellora in the Mandala ''. Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies. 19 ( 2 ) : 193. Jump up ^ José Pereira 1977, pp. 21, 24. Jump up ^ Owen 2012, pp. 200 -- 202. Jump up ^ `` Close view of base of pillars in the upper floor of the Jain Cave XXXIII ( Jaganatha Sabha ), Ellora ''. Retrieved 2013 - 09 - 02. Jump up ^ Geri Hockfield Malandra 1993, pp. 65 - 82. ^ Jump up to : Dhavalikar 2003, p. 12 ^ Jump up to : Owen 2012, p. 8. Jump up ^ Dhavalikar 2003, pp. 9 - 12, 33. Jump up ^ James C. Harle ( 1994 ). The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent. Yale University Press. p. 132. ISBN 978 - 0 - 300 - 06217 - 5. Jump up ^ James Burgess 1880, pp. 373 - 374. Jump up ^ Damien Keown & Charles S. Prebish 2013, p. 23. ^ Jump up to : Geri Hockfield Malandra 1993, p. 51. Jump up ^ James Burgess 1880, pp. 377 - 380. ^ Jump up to : Christopher Tadgell ( 2015 ). The East : Buddhists, Hindus and the Sons of Heaven. Routledge. pp. 78 -- 82. ISBN 978 - 1 - 136 - 75384 - 8. Jump up ^ Dhavalikar 2003, pp. 20 -- 3 Jump up ^ Geri Hockfield Malandra 1993, pp. 53 - 60, 64 - 65. Jump up ^ Geri Hockfield Malandra 1993, pp. 61 - 62. Jump up ^ Owen 2012, p. 7. Jump up ^ Walter M. Spink 1967b. ^ Jump up to : Dhavalikar 2003, p. 33 ^ Jump up to : Walter M. Spink 1967a. Jump up ^ Owen 2012, pp. 8 - 9. Jump up ^ Madhukar Keshav Dhavalikar ( 1983 ). Masterpieces of Rashtrakuta Art : The Kailasa. Stosius. p. 3. ISBN 978 - 0865902336. Jump up ^ Owen 2012, pp. 28 - 35. Jump up ^ Dhavalikar 2003, pp. 81 - 84. ^ Jump up to : Owen 2012, pp. 7 - 8. Jump up ^ Dhavalikar 2003, pp. 83 - 84. Jump up ^ Dhavalikar 2003, pp. 73 - 79, 84. Jump up ^ P.R. Srinivasan 2007, p. 23. ^ Jump up to : Berkson 1992, pp. 86 - 87, 134 - 135. ^ Jump up to : Berkson 1992, p. 124. Jump up ^ Berkson 1992, pp. 145 - 147. Jump up ^ Berkson 1992, p. 126. ^ Jump up to : `` Section II : Periodic Report on the State of Conservation of Ellora Caves, India, 2003 '' ( PDF ). UNESCO. Retrieved 6 March 2016. ^ Jump up to : James G. Lochtefeld ( 2002 ). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism : A-M. The Rosen Publishing Group. p. 331. ISBN 978 - 0 - 8239 - 3179 - 8. ^ Jump up to : Charles Higham ( 2014 ). Encyclopedia of Ancient Asian Civilizations. Infobase. p. 105. ISBN 978 - 1 - 4381 - 0996 - 1. Jump up ^ Christopher Tadgell ( 2015 ). The East : Buddhists, Hindus and the Sons of Heaven. Routledge. pp. 114 -- 117, see figure 1.55 a for the three storey sectional detail. ISBN 978 - 1 - 136 - 75384 - 8. ^ Jump up to : Goetz, H. ( 1952 ). `` The Kailasa of Ellora and the Chronology of Rashtrakuta Art ''. Artibus Asiae. 15 ( 1 / 2 ) : 84 -- 107. doi : 10.2307 / 3248615. JSTOR 3248615. Jump up ^ Dhavalikar 2003, pp. 37 - 38. Jump up ^ John Stratton Hawley ( 1981 ), Scenes from the Childhood of Kṛṣṇa on the Kailāsanātha Temple, Ellora, Archives of Asian Art, University of Hawaii Press, Vol. 34 ( 1981 ), pages 74 - 90 Jump up ^ Sarina Singh ; Joe Bindloss ; James Bainbridge ; Lindsay Brown ; Mark Elliott ; Stuart Butler ( 2007 ). India. Footscray, Vic. : Lonely Planet. p. 810. ISBN 978 - 1 - 74104 - 308 - 2. Jump up ^ Owen 2012, pp. 135 - 136. Jump up ^ Hermann Kulke ; Dietmar Rothermund ( 2004 ). A History of India. Routledge. p. 120. ISBN 978 - 0 - 415 - 32920 - 0. Jump up ^ Dhavalikar 2003, p. 56. Jump up ^ Susan L. Huntington & John C... Huntington 2014, p. 338. Jump up ^ Berkson 1992, p. 30. Jump up ^ James C. Harle ( 1994 ). The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent. Yale University Press. pp. 131 -- 134. ISBN 978 - 0 - 300 - 06217 - 5. Jump up ^ Owen 2012, p. 135. Jump up ^ Geri Malandra ( 1996 ). `` The Mandala at Ellora / Ellora in the Mandala ''. Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies. 19 ( 2 ) : 192 -- 194. Jump up ^ Coomaraswamy, Ananda K. ( 1999 ). Introduction to Indian Art, New Delhi : Munshiram Manoharlal, ISBN 81 - 215 - 0389 - 2, p. 5 Jump up ^ Berkson 1992, pp. 86 - 87, 231 - 232. Jump up ^ Berkson 1992, pp. 231 - 232. Jump up ^ Dhavalikar 2003, p. 87 Jump up ^ Geri Malandra ( 1996 ). `` The Mandala at Ellora / Ellora in the Mandala ''. Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies. 19 ( 2 ) : 192. Jump up ^ Owen 2012, pp. 2 - 3, 179 - 185. ^ Jump up to : Owen 2012, pp. 2 - 3. Jump up ^ Owen 2012, pp. 9 - 12, 81 - 103, 119 - 129. Jump up ^ José Pereira 1977, pp. 25 - 28, 48 - 49. Jump up ^ Owen 2012, pp. 13 - 14, 189 - 199. Jump up ^ Geri Malandra ( 1996 ). `` The Mandala at Ellora / Ellora in the Mandala ''. Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies. 19 ( 2 ) : 193 -- 194 with footnote 33. Jump up ^ Dhavalikar 2003, p. 88 Jump up ^ Dhavalikar 2003, p. 96 Jump up ^ Owen 2012, pp. 15 -- 16 Jump up ^ Owen 2012, pp. 6 - 7. Jump up ^ José Pereira 1977, p. 30. Jump up ^ José Pereira 1977, p. 28. Jump up ^ Owen 2012, pp. 28 - 29. ^ Jump up to : Owen 2012, pp. 28 - 32. ^ Jump up to : Owen 2012, pp. 32 - 35. Jump up ^ Owen 2012, pp. 168 - 169, 184 - 195. Jump up ^ `` Ellora Caves - Verul Ellora '' ( PDF ). Aurangabad Circle ASI. Archaeological Survey of India, Aurangabad Circle, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Government of India. Retrieved 7 May 2017. Jump up ^ Jāvīd, Alī, World Heritage Monuments and Related Edifices in India, Volume 1, Algora Publishing New York, p. 164, ISBN 978 - 0 - 87586 - 483 - 9 Jump up ^ Owen 2012, p. 2 with footnote 2. Jump up ^ Owen 2012, pp. 25 - 29. Jump up ^ Owen 2012, pp. 13. Jump up ^ World Heritage Sites - Ellora Caves - Jaina Group of Caves, Archaeological Society of India ( 2011 ), Government of India Jump up ^ ( a ) Jagannath Sabha : Façade of Jain Cave XXXIII ( Jaganatha Sabha ), Ellora, British Library, Henry Cousens Photograph ( 1875 ) ; ( b ) Pillared interior of Jagannath Sabha : Ellora, British Library, Anonymous sketch ( 1825 ) Jump up ^ José Pereira 1977, p. 90. Jump up ^ José Pereira 1977, pp. 25, 90. Jump up ^ Owen 2012, p. 70. Jump up ^ Owen 2012, p. 82 with footnote 2. Jump up ^ Owen 2012, pp. 90 - 92, 143 - 144. Jump up ^ Owen 2012, p. 167 with footnote 5. Jump up ^ Owen 2012, p. 76. Jump up ^ Owen 2012, p. 25. ^ Jump up to : Geri Hockfield Malandra 1993, p. 3. Jump up ^ Geri Hockfield Malandra 1993, p. 110 : `` Although the art historical record of Buddhist activity here ( Ellora ) essentially ends in the sixth centry, epigraphic material documents renewed use of the site in the ninth and tenth centuries. '' ^ Jump up to : Geri Hockfield Malandra 1993, pp. 1 -- 4. Jump up ^ World Heritage Sites - Ellora Caves, Archaeological Survey of India http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_ellora.asp Jump up ^ Geri Hockfield Malandra 1993, p. 4 : `` In the next century, Ellora 's attraction to travelers did not diminish ; neither did understanding increase. The Venetian Niccolao Manucci, whose history of the Mughals reaches Paris in 1701 or 1702, attributed the excavations to the Chinese (... ) As they are so cleverly done, and their appearance somewhat Chinese, many say that they were executed by the ancient Chinese. '' Jump up ^ Abraham Eraly ( 2007 ). The Mughal World : Life in India 's Last Golden Age. Penguin Books India. pp. 6 -- 7. ISBN 0143102621. Jump up ^ Matthew Bennett ( 1998 ). The Hutchinson Dictionary of Ancient & Medieval Warfare. Routledge. pp. 97 -- 98. ISBN 978 - 1 - 57958 - 116 - 9. Jump up ^ José Pereira 1977, pp. 24 - 25. Jump up ^ Trudy Ring ; Noelle Watson ; Paul Schellinger ( 2012 ). Asia and Oceania : International Dictionary of Historic Places. Routledge. p. 256. ISBN 978 - 1 - 136 - 63979 - 1., Quote : `` Some had been desecrated by zealous Muslims during their occupation of Maharashtra in the fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. '' Jump up ^ Carl Ernst ( 2000 ). David Gilmartin ; Bruce B. Lawrence, eds. Beyond Turk and Hindu : Rethinking Religious Identities in Islamicate South Asia. University Press of Florida. pp. 106 -- 110. ISBN 978 - 0 - 8130 - 3099 - 9. Jump up ^ José Pereira 1977, p. 87. Jump up ^ Geri Hockfield Malandra 1993, pp. 7 - 10. Jump up ^ Geri Hockfield Malandra 1993, p. 10. Bibliography Pia Brancaccio ( 2013 ). Helaine Selin, ed. Encyclopaedia of the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine in Non-Westen Cultures. Springer Science. doi : 10.1007 / 978 - 94 - 007 - 3934 - 5_9848 - 1. ISBN 978 - 94 - 017 - 1416 - 7. James Burgess ( 1880 ). The Cave Temples of India. Cambridge University Press ( Reprinted 2013 ). ISBN 978 - 1 - 108 - 05552 - 9. José Pereira ( 1977 ). Monolithic Jinas. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978 - 81 - 208 - 2397 - 6. Dhavalikar, Madhukar Keshav ( 2003 ). Ellora. Oxford University Press, New Delhi. ISBN 0 - 19 - 565458 - 7. OCLC 47901386. Berkson, Carmel ( 1992 ). Ellora, Concept and Style. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 0 - 19 - 565458 - 7. Susan L. Huntington ; John C... Huntington ( 2014 ). The Art of Ancient India : Buddhist, Hindu, Jain. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978 - 81 - 208 - 3617 - 4. Damien Keown ; Charles S. Prebish ( 2013 ). Encyclopedia of Buddhism. Routledge. ISBN 978 - 1 - 136 - 98588 - 1. Geri Hockfield Malandra ( 1993 ). Unfolding A Mandala : The Buddhist Cave Temples at Ellora. State University of New York Press. ISBN 978 - 0 - 7914 - 1355 - 5. Owen, Lisa ( 2012 ). Carving Devotion in the Jain Caves at Ellora. BRILL Academic. ISBN 978 - 9004206298. Pandit, Suraj ( 2013 ). `` Ellora Caves ''. Oxford University Press. doi : 10.1093 / obo / 9780195393521 - 0118. P.R. Srinivasan ( 2007 ). Ellora. Archaeological Survey of India. ISBN 978 - 81 - 87780 - 43 - 4. OCLC 420558130. Walter M. Spink ( 1967a ). Ajanta to Ellora. Marg Publications. OCLC 648366740. Walter M. Spink ( 1967b ). Ellora 's Earliest Phase. American Academy. OCLC 54831981. External links Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Ellora. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ellora Caves. Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Ellora. Ellora Caves in UNESCO List Layout, floor plan and description of each Ellora cave, Deepanjana and Arno Klein Photographs of Ellora, Getty Images World Heritage Sites in India North Agra Fort The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier Fatehpur Sikri Great Himalayan National Park Humayun 's Tomb Keoladeo National Park Khajuraho Group of Monuments Kalka - Shimla Railway Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks Qutub Minar and its Monuments Red Fort Complex Taj Mahal East Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Kaziranga National Park Mahabodhi Temple Complex Nalanda Manas Wildlife Sanctuary Sun Temple at Konark Sundarbans National Park Khangchendzonga National Park South Great Living Chola Temples Group of Monuments at Hampi Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram Group of Monuments at Pattadakal Nilgiri Mountain Railway Western Ghats West Historic City of Ahmadabad Ajanta Caves Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka Champaner - Pavagadh Archaeological Park Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Churches and convents of Goa Elephanta Caves Ellora Caves Hill Forts of Rajasthan Jantar Mantar of Jaipur Rani ki vav Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi Western Ghats Hindu Temples in Maharashtra Alandi Ashtavinayaka Morgaon Siddhatek Pali Mahad Theur Lenyadri Ozar Ranjangaon Bhimashankar Temple Bhuleshwar Temple Chaturshringi Temple Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple Dashabhuja Temple Ganapati Temple, Redi Grishneshwar Jejuri Kailash Temple Kalaram Temple Kopeshwar temple Kopineshwar Mandir, Thane Kukdeshwar Temple Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple, Mumbai Mahur Renuka Temple Mandhradevi Mumba Devi Temple Panchavati Parshuram Temple Patit Pavan Mandir Rameshwar Mandir Saptashrungi Sarasbaug Ganpati Satpuda Manudevi Temple, Adgaon Shani Shingnapur Shegaon Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Mumbai Siddheshwar & Ratneshwar Temple Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai Titwala Ganesha temple Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple Tulja Bhavani Temple Vajreshwari Temple Vithoba Temple, Pandharpur Yamai Jain temples in India See also : Jain temples in North America Bihar Pawapuri Statue of Vasupujya Delhi Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir Naya Mandir Ahinsa Sthal Gujarat Bhadreshwar Girnar Hutheesing Mahudi Palitana Shankheshwar Taranga Jharkhand Shikharji Karnataka Badami cave temples Dharmasthala Temple Jain Temple, Lakkundi Panchakuta Basadi, Kambadahalli Saavira Kambada Basadi Sankighatta Shravanabelagola Kerala Anantnath Swami Temple Jain temple, Alleppey Jain Temple, Kidanganad Jainimedu Jain temple Kattil Madam Temple Madhya Pradesh Bawangaja Jain temples of Khajuraho Kanch Mandir Sonagiri Bibrod Tirth Maharashtra Gajpanth Kumbhoj Statue of Ahimsa Nagaland Dimapur Jain Temple Odisha Digambara Jaina Temple, Khandagiri Parsvanath Jain Temple - I Parsvanath Jain Temple - II Rajasthan Ajmer Jain temple Nareli Jain Temple Padampura Ranakpur Jain temple Sanghiji Shri Mahavirji Tijara Jain temple Tamil Nadu Arahanthgiri Jain Math Alagramam Jain Temple Kalugumalai Jain Beds Mannargudi Mallinatha Swamy Jain Temple Mel Sithamur Jain Math Thirakoil Telangana Kulpakji Uttar Pradesh Jambudweep Digamber Jain Mandir Hastinapur West Bengal Calcutta Jain Temple Jainism Portal Indian Buddhist caves Andhra Pradesh Adapur Caves Belum Caves Chandavaram Erravaram Caves Guntupalli Caves Kotturu Dhanadibbalu Pandavula Metta Caves Ramatheertham Caves Sankaram Undavalli caves Bihar Barabar Caves Indrasala Cave Lomas Rishi Cave Saptaparni Cave Gujarat Dhank Caves Junagadh Buddhist Cave Groups Bava Pyara caves Uparkot Caves Kadia Dungar caves Khambhalida Caves Sana Caves Siyot caves Talaja Caves Karnataka Aihole Badami cave temples Pandava caves Mangalore Madhya Pradesh Bagh Caves Dhamnar Caves Dharmrajeshwar Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary Maharashtra Ajanta Caves Aurangabad Caves Bahrot caves Bedse Caves Bhaja Caves Dharashiv Caves Ellora Caves Gandharpale Caves Ghatotkacha Cave Ghorawadi Caves Karla Caves Karad Caves Kondana Caves Kuda Caves Nadsur Caves Nenavali Caves Pandavleni Caves Panhalakaji Caves Pitalkhora Shelarwadi Caves Shirwal Caves Thanale Caves Wai Caves In the Mumbai area : Elephanta Caves Jogeshwari Caves Mahakali Caves Mandapeshwar Caves Kanheri Caves In the Junnar area : Lenyadri Manmodi caves Shivneri Caves Tulja Caves Odisha Udayagiri, Odisha Rajasthan Binnayaga Buddhist caves Hathiagor Buddhist Caves Kolvi Caves Tamil Nadu Cave Temples of Mahabalipuram Aurangabad district, Maharashtra topics History Satavahana Rashtrakuta Empire Kalachuri Chalukyas Malik Ambar Ahmednagar Sultanate Daulatabad Deccan sultanates Yadavas of Devagiri Shahaji Aurangzeb Muhammad bin Tughluq Asaf Jah I Nasir Jang Asaf Jah II Abul Hasan Qutb Shah Namantar Andolan Geography Jayakwadi dam Salim Ali Lake Monuments Ajanta Caves Aurangabad Caves Aurangabad Water System Bibi Ka Maqbara Daulatabad Fort Ellora Caves Gates in Aurangabad Grishneshwar temple Himayat Bagh Naukhanda Palace Panchakki Soneri Mahal Sant Dnyaneshwar garden, Paithan Culture Himroo Paithani Naan Qalia Sufi saints of Aurangabad Urdu in Aurangabad Education Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University Government College of Engineering Hi - 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Tungi Dharashiv Caves Odisha Belum Caves Tamil Nadu Sittanavasal Cave Armamalai Cave Tirumalai ( Jain complex ) Sithanavasal GND : 4223084 - 6 VIAF : 315126126 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ellora_Caves&oldid=834213347 '' Categories : Hindu World Heritage Sites Indian architectural history Shiva temples in India Hindu temples in Maharashtra Hindu pilgrimage sites Buddhist pilgrimages History of Buddhism Buddhist monasticism Archaeological sites in Maharashtra Caves of Maharashtra World Heritage Sites in India Tourist attractions in Aurangabad district, Maharashtra Indian rock - cut architecture Buddhist caves 6th - century Hindu temples 7th - century Hindu temples 8th - century Hindu temples Jain Rock - cut architecture Caves containing pictograms in India Hindu cave temples in India Hidden categories : Use dmy dates from April 2017 Use Indian English from April 2017 All Wikipedia articles written in Indian English Coordinates on Wikidata All articles with specifically marked weasel - 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Question: ellora caves depict different type of cultures of
Answer: featuring Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments, and artwork, dating from the 600-1000 CE period