The state of Maharashtra is well known for its caves. It has the biggest number of caves in the country. These caves are ancient and date back to 1st century BC. Usually the caves had been the chaityas and viharas of Buddhists, Jain and Hindu priests. The caves exhibit fine arts as well as crafts belonging to historical past.

Ellora in the district of Aurangabad remains exemplary for experiments being done by Hindus, Buddhist and Jain priests for creating the gigantic and wonderful caves. The sculptures of caves are amazing. Ajanta caves are great achievements of human architecture belonging to ancient times found in the same districts. There are several caves in the district found merely few miles away from the well known Bibi-Ka-Maqbara.

The Maharashtra caves are so amazing that anybody who visits this place cherish its memories forever. The picturesque rocks cut in a remarkable way got constructed in an era when no modern techniques and know-how were available for the purpose of carving and digging. However in such difficult terrains, these beautiful caves stand erect in a delightful way which perhaps even present technology would find difficult to build. The Ajanta Ellora Caves which are regarded as the World Heritage Site along with Elephant Caves, Junnar, Karla and Kanheri are few of the most sought after heritage sites of the country.

World Heritage Cave Site

Ajanta Ellora Caves

The Ajanta-Ellora caves regarded as World Heritage sites are wonders of the world due to their pre-historic stone carvings and sculptures. People belonging to different parts of the world visit these caves for having a glimpse of such magnificent sculptures which are being admired since ages. There was no hesitation shown by UNESCO for declaring the caves as the world heritage sites in the year 1983.

Most Famous Caves in Maharashtra

Aurangabad Caves

Most of the caves in the city of Aurangabad are Viharas. There are 12 caves in total among which the cave number 3 and cave number 7 are among the most beautiful ones. From cave number 1 to cave number 5 belongs to the western group whereas from cave number 6 to cave number 10 belong to the eastern group.

Elephanta Caves

The Elephanta caves are considered as one of the most well known as well as most visited Caves in the state of Maharashtra. The caves were named so by a Portuguese who had come here across a 13 feet high elephant statue found at the entrance. The caves house various rock cut temples which were dedicated to Lord Shiva. The caves are regarded as the World Heritage site by UNESCO. Located on the Elephanta Island, the whole complex of the caves engrosses more than 60000 square feet. These temples got built after carving out rock after the procedure of rock removal. The prominent cave holds Maheshamurti, which is a 3 headed sculpture dedicated to Lord Shiva with all his forms, as the preserver, the creator as well as the destroyer. The ideal time for visiting the caves is at the time of Elephanta festival when there are dance and light programs held by MTDC.

Kanheri Caves

The Kanheri caves are located with surroundings having lush green trees, wooded valleys and hills and lies merely 42 km distant from Mumbai city. The art and architectures of these caves are considered to be one of the most beautiful in the country.

Karla and Bhaja Caves

Bhaja and Karla Caves are situated close to Lonavala in the Maharashtra state. The Bhaja caves are considered to be belonging to the Hinayana phase times of Buddhism.

Pandavleni Caves

The Pandavleni caves date back to 2000 years and were constructed by the Jain rulers. It consists of a group of 24 Hinayana caves of Buddhists belonging to the first and second century BC and AD. The caves lay merely 8 kms away from Nasik.

Pitalkhora Caves

The Pitalkhora Caves dating back to second century BC are just at a distance of 40 km from the Ellora caves in Aurangabad. People can see several amazing sculptures such as Yaksa figures. The major gate has a large terrace.