20 Rock Cut Cave Temples in India

Ancient Marvels: 20 Remarkable Rock-Cut Cave Temples in India! My country India is a land blessed with a rich cultural and architectural heritage, and among its many treasures are the remarkable rock-cut cave temples. These awe-inspiring structures, carved out of solid rock, stand as testaments to the skill, craftsmanship, and devotion of ancient Indian civilizations.

I have highlighted 20 rock-cut cave temples that showcase the diverse religious and artistic traditions that have flourished over centuries. Each temple holds a unique story, architectural style, and religious significance.

History of Rock-cut Cave temples

The idea of constructing living space by carving out rock faces, rock cut caves, is said to have originated in Central Asia. Chinese Buddhist monks used this idea of rock cut Buddhist temples where the monks could live and pray. Earliest Buddhist cave temples in Dunhuang were begun in 366; at Bingling and Maijishan in the early fifth century; at Yungang in 460; at Longmen and Gongxian in the early sixth century.

In India there are innumerable rock cut caves. Among them, many rock caves of the ancient era are revered and are places of worship. These Cave Temples are infused with paintings, frescoes and sculptures which makes them interesting places to visit and learn more about the time, customs and practices that prevailed then.

Common features of Cave Temples

Most of the caves are circular or oblong in plan. The ceiling is dome shaped. Some of them have pillars that rise up to the ceiling, some have just a raised platform in the centre. In some rock-cut caves the ceilings have an opening. Most of the cave temples are decorated with sculpted figures and paintings.

20 Rock Cut Cave Temples in India

Here is a list of rock cut temples in India. Some well known, some little lesser known. This is not a complete list, there are more cave temples scattered in different parts of India. Let me know in the comment box how many you have seen among these 20 rock cut cave temples in India.

Rock cut caves in Maharashtra

I have highlight 5 famous rock cut caves in Maharashtra. Let me know in comment box how many have you seen.

Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra

Ajanta Caves are a set of 32 Buddhist caves located in the picturesque valley of the Waghur River near Aurangabad, Maharashtra. These cave temples date from the 2nd century B.C.E. to 650 C.E. The caves were discovered by chance by John Smith, a member of a British hunting party, in 1819 CE. The Ajanta Caves have been included in UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1983.
Ajanta Caves Fact File
Highlight – Ajanta Caves paintings, many still glowing with their original colours.
How to reach – Nearest Airport – Aurangabad airport, distance of 5.5 km
Nearest railway station to Ajanta Caves – Jalgaon city, about 60 km away
Tickets – 40 INR for Indian and 600 INR for foreign tourists
Timings – 6 AM to 5.30 PM
Best time to visit – during winters. Summers are unbearably hot.
Further reading – Ajanta Cave Paintings in Aurangabad

Architectural Wonders of India: Exploring the Rock-Cut Cave Temples

Ellora Caves in Maharashtra

The Ellora Caves along with the Ajanta Caves mentioned above are some of the most beautiful cave temples in India. The fact that these two have the UNESCO tag makes them more special. One can spend around 4 to 5 hours to see all caves excavated out of the vertical face of the Charanandri Hills. Locally known as ‘Verul Leni’.
Ellora Caves Fact File
Highlight – Cluster of 34 cave temples of three religions, Hindus, Buddhists and Jains
How to reach – Nearest Airport -Aurangabad Airport, 27 km from Aurangabad city
Nearest railway station to Ellora Caves – Aurangabad Railway Station is 28 km away
Tickets – 30 INR for Indian tourists; 500 INR for Foreign tourists; 25 INR for Video Camera; 30 INR Parking fee for Car.
Timings – Open from 8 AM to 6 PM. Timing can vary according to seasons
Best time to visit – Visit during winters. Summers are unbearably hot.
Further reading – For a cave by cave description of Ellora Caves check my blog post: Explore Ellora Caves: History and Photo Essay

Aurangabad Caves in Maharashtra

Aurangabad caves too are not natural caves, but were carved out of mountains with primitive tools by Buddhists monks residing there then. These twelve rock-cut Buddhist shrines are located around 20 km north-west of Aurangabad. They date back to the 6th and the 8th centuries.
Aurangabad Caves Fact File
Highlight – Interesting archaeological site
How to reach – Nearest Airport – Aurangabad Airport, at a distance of 14.2 km.
Nearest railway station to Aurangabad Caves – Aurangabad Railway Station, distance is 8 to 9 km.
Tickets – 10 INR for Indians and 100 INR for foreign tourists
Timings – Open from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Best time to visit – During winters.
Further reading – My blog on Lesser known Aurangabad Caves

Kailasa Cave in Maharashtra

Though it is included in the cluster of Ellora Caves, Kailasa Temple deserves a special mention for being the most famous stone temple, monolithic temple in India. It is the largest cave temple in India, the ceiling is open with a raised platform and temple in the centre.
Kailasa Cave Temple Fact File
Highlight – about 2,00,000 tonnes of rock was removed to give shape to it!
How to reach – Nearest Airport -Aurangabad Airport, 27 km from Aurangabad city
Nearest railway station to Kailasa Cave Ellora- Aurangabad Railway Station is 28 km away
Tickets – 30 INR for Indian tourists; 500 INR for Foreign tourists; 25 INR for Video Camera; 30 INR Parking fee for Car.
Timings – Open from 8 AM to 6 PM. Timing can vary according to seasons
Best time to visit – When you visit Ellora Caves try and visit this first, in the mornings when the crowd is less.
Further reading – To understand the architecture of Kailasa temple, here is my travel blog post – Kailasa Temple Ellora cave 16

Exploring the Magnificent Rock-Cut Cave Temples in India: A Journey through History

Elephanta Caves in Maharashtra

Elephanta Caves have a special place in my heart because this is the first cave temple I visited in my life way back in the nineties, in the analog days. These caves are located on an island off the coast of Mumbai, are a magnificent example of Indian rock art and architecture dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva. The first sight of Panchamukhi Shiva is clearly etched in my mind even today. The caves got UNESCO World Heritage Site status in the year 1987.
Elephanta Caves Fact File
Highlight – Two days Elephanta Music Festival in January
How to reach – Nearest Airport – Mumbai
Nearest ferry point – from the Gateway of India, you have to hire a ferry to reach Elephanta Caves.
Tickets – 40 INR for Indians and 6000 INR for foreigners.
Timings – Open on all days 6 AM to 6 PM.
Best time to visit – Avoid rainy season
Further reading – UNESCO World Heritage Site

Arvalem Caves in Goa

These ancient rock cut caves give us a glimpse of tales from Hindu Religious stories. These caves, also known by the name Pandava Caves, date back to the 6th century. Other caves in Goa are Rivona Cave, Narve Cave, Lamgao Cave, Netravali Cave, and Khandepar Cave.
Arvalem Caves Fact File
Highlight – carved out of a single laterite rock by Buddhist monks
How to reach – Nearest Airport – Panjim, Goa
Nearest railway station – 9 km from Bicholim, North Goa
Tickets – Free sight. The caves have grilled doors, you cannot enter, you have to see them from outside.
Timings – 9 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM
Best time to visit – All through the year

Udayagiri Caves Vidisha Madhya Pradesh

The Udayagiri Caves are a group of 20 rock-cut caves located near Vidisha from the early years of the 5th century CE. They contain some of the oldest surviving Hindu temples and iconography, dedicated to Bhagwan Vishnu and Shiva, in India.
Udayagiri Caves Vidisha Fact File
Highlight – group of 20 Gupta-era temples and monasteries
How to reach – Nearest Airport – Bhopal, distance is 58 km
Nearest railway station – 4 km from town of Vidisha
Tickets – 15 INR for Indian and 200 INR for foreign tourists. Separate Video Camera charges 25 INR
Timings – Open from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Best time to visit – Avoid peak summer months April and May.

Undavalli Caves Guntur in Andhra Pradesh

Undavalli Caves were sculpted sometime in 4th and 5th century CE during the reign of Vishnu Kundina kings. The main cave is one of the earliest examples of Gupta architecture, primarily primitive rock-cut monastery cells carved into the sandstone hills. This is one of the must visit places if you are in Vijayawada.
Undavalli Caves Guntur Fact File
Highlight – a four-storeyed temple, the tallest in this list of 20 Cave Temples of India.
How to reach – Nearest Airport – Vijayawada Airport
Nearest railway station – Vijayawada Junction railway station
Tickets – 20 INR for Indian and 250 INR for foreign tourists
Timings – Open from 9 AM to 5.30 PM.
Best time to visit – All through the year.

Aihole in Bagalkot Karnataka

Ravana Phadi cave – Ravana Phadi is one of the oldest rock-cut cave temples in Aihole, located less than a kilometre uphill, northeast from the Durga temple.
Aihole Fact File
Highlight – the carving of Bhringi, a malnourished man praying to Lord Shiva
How to reach – Nearest Airport – Goa International Airport 230 kms from Aihole
Nearest railway station – Bagalkot, 34 km away
Tickets – No tickets required
Timings – Open on all days
Best time to visit – All through the year
Further reading – Temples of Aihole in Bagalkot Karnataka

Badami Caves in Karnataka

These magnificent examples of Indian rock cut architecture, the Badami caves construction dates back to 540 AD. It was under the reign of the Chalukya dynasty.
Badami Fact File
Highlight – caves here are dedicated to three different religions
How to reach – Nearest Airport – Goa International Airport 277 km from Badami
Nearest railway station to Badami Caves – Bagalkot, 34 km away
Tickets – 20 INR for Indian and 250 INR for foreign tourists
Timings – Open from 6 AM to 6 PM
Best time to visit – All through the year.
Further reading – Rock Cut Cave Temples of Badami

Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple in Bangalore Karnataka

The name translates to the Cave of Ishwara (God) who adorns the Ganga. It is also called the Gavipuram Cave Temple. Built in 16th century AD by the founder of Bengaluru, Kempegowda. The temple is famous for its monolithic pillars and structures in its courtyard.
Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple Fact File
Highlight – auspicious occasion of Makara Sankranti, when sun’s rays fall on the lingam inside the cave shrine.
How to reach – Nearest Airport – Kempegowda International airport
Nearest railway station – Majestic Railway Station, Bengaluru
Tickets – No tickets required
Timings – 7 AM to 12.30 PM, 5 PM to 8.30 PM.
Best time to visit – All through the year
Further reading – Mysteries of Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple

Hulimavu Cave Temple in Bangalore Karnataka

Small and lesser known, yet I find it worthy to add to this list of 20 rock-cut Cave Temples of India. This cave has a shrine dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva. The height of the space inside the cave is 6 ft. at one end to as low as 4 ft. in the extreme end. One can sit inside and meditate.
Hulimavu Cave Temple Fact File
Highlight – place of jeeva samadhi for Sri Ramanand Swamiji
How to reach – Nearest Airport – Kempegowda International airport
Nearest railway station – Majestic Railway Station, Bengaluru
Tickets – No tickets required
Timings – Open every day, 6 AM to 12.30 PM and 5 PM to 7.30 PM.
Best time to visit – All through the year
Further reading – Meditate at Ramalingeshwara Temple, Hulimavu

Cave Temples of Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu

This too is a UNESCO site, admired worldwide for its stunningly intricate rock-cut temples. Built by the Pallava rulers in the 7th century, only eleven of them exist today. Among them Varaha Cave temple is regarded to be one of the greatest examples of Pallava art. There are many other cave temples scattered in different locations of Mahabalipuram.
Cave Temples of Mahabalipuram Fact File
Highlight – Exposed to vagaries of nature, they are eroding away at a fast rate.
How to reach – Nearest Airport – Chennai, distance is 57.4 km
Nearest railway station – Chengalpattu, it is located 29 km away.
Tickets – No tickets required.
Timings – Open on all days.
Best time to visit – Avoid peak summer season from April to early June.
Further reading – Was Krishna Cave Temple in Mahabalipuram a Classroom? Thirumalam Rock Cut Temple in Tenkasi.

Karpuka Vinayaka Temple in Tamil Nadu

Karpaga Vinayagar Kovil is one of the oldest Cave Temples (Rock Cut) temples of Tamil Nadu. It is dedicated to Bhagwan Vinayaka (another name for Ganesha). Vinayaka satisfies the wishes of his devotees like Karpagam tree, he is also known as “Karpaga Vinayagar”. Pillayarpatti is situated at a distance of 71 km from Madurai.
Karpuka Vinayaka Temple Fact File
Highlight – Vinayaga Chathurthi celebrated during the Avani month in lunar calendar, that is in August or September every year is the most auspicious occasion in this temple.
How to reach – Nearest Airport – Trichy at a distance of 73 km.
Nearest railway station – Pudukkottai which is at a distance of 32 km
Tickets – No tickets required
Timings – 6 AM to 1 PM and 4 PM to 8.15 PM.
Best time to visit – All throughout the year.
Further reading – Pillaiyarpatti Karpaga Vinayagar Kovil, Chettinad

Siyot Caves Kutch in Gujarat

The Siyot Caves, also known as Kateshwar Buddhist Caves, are five rock-cut caves located near Siyot village in the Lakhpat Taluka of Kutch. The caves are believed to belong to the first century AD. You can stay in Dhordo Tent city, 82.7 km east in Rann of Kutch.
Siyot Caves Fact File
Highlight – Assumed to be part of 80 Buddhist caves located near the mouth of the Indus river as reported by Xuanzang in the 7th century.
How to reach – Nearest Airport – Bhuj Airport, 4 km away
Nearest railway station – Bhuj Railway Station
Tickets – Free sight
Timings – Open 9 AM to 5 PM.
Best time to visit – Avoid the peak summer months April to June.

Barabar Caves Bihar

Coming to the end of this list of 20 Cave Temples of India Barabar Caves deserve a mention for being the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India, dating from the Maurya Empire (322 – 185 BCE). The cluster of four caves, namely Karan Chaupar, Lomas Rishi, Sudama and Visvakarma, together form the Barabar Caves. They were constructed by emperor Ashoka for the use of Ajivaka ascetics. Located around 40 km from Bodh Gaya, in Bihar, India.
Barabar Caves Fact File
Highlight – the insides of the caves are so highly polished as to gleam like mirrors.
How to reach – Nearest Airport – Patna, at a distance of 49.5 km.
Nearest railway station – Jehanabad
Tickets – Free sight
Timings – Open on all days for 24 hours.
Best time to visit – Avoid peak summer months
Further reading – Barabar Caves

Patal Bhuvaneshwar in Uttarakhand

Patal Bhuvaneshwar is a limestone cave temple 14 km from Gangolihat in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state. Patal Bhubaneshwar translates to ‘subterranean shrine of Bhagwan Shiva’. It is an underground ancient shrine located 14 km from Gangolihat, about 91 km from Pithoragarh. The way to the temple is through a tunnel which leads into a cave and through a narrow dark passage of water.
Patal Bhuvaneshwar Fact File
Highlight – you can see the tongue of Kali Bhairav, hairs of Bhagwan Shiva and other wonders formed on the rocks in Patal Bhuvneshwar cave.
How to reach – Nearest Airport – 90 km from Naini Saini Airport
Nearest railway station – 270 km from Kathgodam Station
Tickets – Free sight
Timings – winter : 8 AM to 5 PM and Summer : 7 AM to 6 PM. Open and Close timing will vary during the festival time.
Best time to visit – from April to June and from mid September to October end.
Further reading – Visit Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave

Amarnath Cave Temple in Kashmir

Amarnath Cave is one among the holiest 20 cave temples of India for Hindu pilgrims. The ice pillar present inside the cave is also called ice lingam, the phallic symbol of Bhagwan Shiva. Two smaller ice stalagmites represent Parvati, his wife, and Ganesha, his son. The cave temple is open only in the months of July and August when most of the ice around has melted and access is easy.
Amarnath Cave Fact File
Highlight – phallic symbol of Bhagwan Shiva formed in ice
How to reach – Nearest Airport – Srinagar Airport is the nearest airport to Amarnath
You can also reach Amarnath Temple via a helicopter ride
Nearest railway station – Jammu is the nearest Railway Station.
Tickets – No tickets, but you have to bear the various expenses depending on your mode of transport.
Timings – 6 AM to 6 PM.
Best time to visit – May to June.

Ardh Kuwari Cave near Vaishno Devi Temple Kashmir

The natural cave is opened for pilgrims after Makar Sankranti amid chanting of Vedic ‘mantras’ and a number of other rituals.The ArdhKuwari Gufa is one of the few pit stops on your way to pay respects to the Vaishno Devi Shrine in Kashmir. The cave is located almost half way on the hike to the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple. It is also known as Garbajoon Cave.
Legend has it that Ma Vaishnodevi took shelter in this cave while meditating for nine months. This is the place where Ma Vaishnodevi beheaded Bhairavnarth in the form of Mahakali. It is believed that Durga hid herself from Bhairavnath for close to nine months in this cave and that when he finally found her, Vaishno Devi made a new opening to the cave with her trident.
Ardh Kuwari Cave Fact File
Highlight – One has to crawl on his/her knees to reach the other side of the Ardhkuwari cave.
How to reach – Nearest Airport – Jammu, around 50 km from Katra.
Nearest railway station – Jammu
Tickets – No tickets required
Timings – there are 2 slots for aarti, morning 5 AM and evening 6 PM
Best time to visit – March to October
Further reading – Ardhkuwari Gufa, Vaishno Devi

Masroor Caves in Himachal Pradesh

The Masroor Temples are a complex of 15 monolithic rock-cut cave temples and the only caves in this list of 20 rock cut cave temples of India dedicated to Bhagwan Rama, Lakshmana and Sita Mata. These caves are considered as Ellora of Himachal and also as Himalayan Pyramids. They are believed to have been first built by Pandavas while they were travelling through these mountains.
Masroor Caves Fact File
Highlight – Even the damaged sculptures speak eloquently about the skills of artists who lived then.
How to reach – Nearest Airport – Dharamshala (Gaggal) 15 km away
Nearest railway station – Nagrota Surian
Tickets – 25 INR for Indian and 300 INR for foreign tourists
Timings – 6 AM to 6 PM
Best time to visit – All through the year.
Further reading – Masroor Rock Temple, Kangda

FAQ on Cave Temples in India

Here are some frequently asked questions about rock cut architecture of temples in India. Let me know if you want to know more.

Which is the largest cave temple in India?

The Kailasha or Kailashanatha temple is the largest of the rock-cut Hindu temples at the Ellora Caves near Sambhaji Nagar in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India.

Which is the largest cave in India?

Meghalaya’s caves are home to India’s longest general cave – the 31.1km-long Liat Prah limestone cave system.

How many caves are there in India?

There are approximately 2,702 caves in India. Many of them spread through different areas and cave systems. For example, there are 6 Badami Caves, but there are 109 caves at Kanheri.

Which caves are well known for their Indian rock-cut architecture?

Ajanta Caves, UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a Buddhist temple complex that has 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments. These caves feature amazing paintings and finest sculptures, which are supposed to be the best existing examples of Indian art.

What is/are common to the two historical places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram?

Both were built in the same period. Both have rock cut monuments.

Where is the most famous Buddhist cave temple located?

The Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra has 30 rock-cut cave Buddhist temples carved into the sheer vertical side of a gorge near a waterfall-fed pool located in the hills of the Sahyadri Mountains.

Which is the oldest surviving rock-cut cave in India?

The Barabar Hill Caves are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India, dating from the Maurya Empire (322–185 BCE), some with Ashokan inscriptions, located in the Makhdumpur region of Jehanabad district, Bihar, 24 km north of Gaya.

What can visitors expect to see inside these cave temples?

Inside the rock-cut cave temples, visitors can witness stunning sculptures, intricate carvings, elaborate wall paintings, and beautiful architecture. These temples often depict religious deities, mythological stories, and important events related to the respective religions.

How were these temples carved out of solid rock?

The process of carving rock-cut cave temples involved painstaking manual labor. Initially, the rock surface was marked with outlines, and then skilled craftsmen chiseled away the unwanted rock to create intricate sculptures, pillars, and chambers.

Conclusion

So? Did you like this list of 20 Rock cut Cave Temples in India? How many have you visited from this list? Do let me know in the comment box. I haven’t visited six of them from this list. But they are in my bucket list and I hope to write travel blog posts to the 6 cave temples and link back to this post.

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