Carved in Time: India’s Best Caves for History Lovers

Ancient Buddhist caves with stunning murals and sculptures. A UNESCO treasure from the 2nd century BCE

Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra

34 rock-cut caves blending Hindu, Buddhist and Jain art. Kailasa Temple is carved from a single rock

Ellora Caves, Maharashtra

Located on an island near Mumbai, Famous for its grand Shiva carvings, especially the Trimurti

Elephanta Caves, Maharashtra

Chalukya-era caves with Hindu and Jain deities. Cave 3 Ananta Vishnu  is the largest and most detailed

Badami Caves, Karnataka

With over 500 shelters and prehistoric cave art over 30,000 years old. A window into India’s earliest human life

Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, MP

Built during King Kharavela’s era. They feature inscriptions and carvings that shed light on early Jain monastic life and Kalinga history

Udayagiri & Khandagiri, Odisha

Ancient art and myth-linked caves. Believed to have inspired parts of the Ramayana

Jogimara Caves, Chhattisgarh

Four levels of rock-cut wonders. Highlights include a giant reclining Vishnu statue

Undavalli Caves, Andhra Pradesh

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu’s Varaha avatar. Carvings show epic Hindu iconography scenes

Varaha Cave Temple, Tamil Nadu

Home to some of India’s earliest Buddhist chaityagrihas, it’s grand chaitya is awe-inspiring

Karla & Bhaja Caves, Maharashtra

India’s longest cave system over 3,200 m. Underground chambers and a natural Shiva Lingam await

Belum Caves, Andhra Pradesh