Carved in Time: India’s Best Caves for History LoversCarved in Time: India’s Best Caves for History LoversAncient Buddhist caves with stunning murals and sculptures. A UNESCO treasure from the 2nd century BCEAjanta Caves, Maharashtra34 rock-cut caves blending Hindu, Buddhist and Jain art. Kailasa Temple is carved from a single rockEllora Caves, MaharashtraLocated on an island near Mumbai, Famous for its grand Shiva carvings, especially the TrimurtiElephanta Caves, MaharashtraChalukya-era caves with Hindu and Jain deities. Cave 3 Ananta Vishnu is the largest and most detailedBadami Caves, KarnatakaWith over 500 shelters and prehistoric cave art over 30,000 years old. A window into India’s earliest human lifeBhimbetka Rock Shelters, MPBuilt during King Kharavela’s era. They feature inscriptions and carvings that shed light on early Jain monastic life and Kalinga historyUdayagiri & Khandagiri, OdishaAncient art and myth-linked caves. Believed to have inspired parts of the RamayanaJogimara Caves, ChhattisgarhFour levels of rock-cut wonders. Highlights include a giant reclining Vishnu statueUndavalli Caves, Andhra PradeshDedicated to Lord Vishnu’s Varaha avatar. Carvings show epic Hindu iconography scenesVaraha Cave Temple, Tamil NaduHome to some of India’s earliest Buddhist chaityagrihas, it’s grand chaitya is awe-inspiringKarla & Bhaja Caves, MaharashtraIndia’s longest cave system over 3,200 m. Underground chambers and a natural Shiva Lingam awaitBelum Caves, Andhra Pradesh