Ellora Caves
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Overview
Ellora in Maharashtra has Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves. The Kailasa temple (Cave 16) was carved by the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I. It became a World Heritage Site in 1983.
There are 34 caves cut into the Charanandri hills: Buddhist, Hindu and Jain.
The Kailasa temple (cave 16) was cut from a single rock under the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I.
Ellora was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1983 along with Ajanta.
The caves are in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.
They were made between the 6th and 10th centuries.
The Buddhist caves include Vishvakarma (cave 10).
The Jain caves include the Indra Sabha.
Geography and key facts
- Maharashtra
- Three faiths
- Kailasa (Rashtrakutas)
- WHS 1983
- 34 caves
- Kailasa (Krishna I)
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked on rock-cut architecture.
Note for UPSC
Cultural World Heritage Site, inscribed 1983 · Maharashtra.
UPSC asks about the state, the dynasty or period, and whether a site is cultural or natural.
Asked in PYQs
No question in our Prelims bank names Ellora Caves yet.
Key facts
- Type
- World Heritage Site
- State / UT
- Maharashtra
- Heritage type
- Cultural
- Inscribed (UNESCO)
- 1983
- Coordinates
- 20.026°N, 75.179°E
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Indian Architecture and Temple Styles (map lesson)
- Performing Arts, Paintings and Heritage (map lesson)
- Hindu Temple Architecture: Nagara, Dravida and Vesara (map lesson)
- Indo-Islamic, Mughal and Colonial Architecture (map lesson)
- Mughal Culture: Architecture, Painting, Literature and Music (map lesson)
More world heritage sites nearby
Other places in Maharashtra
All world heritage sites · Revision list · Most asked in PYQs