At a distance of more or less 25 km from the Aurangabad district, the Ellora caves are located inEllora Caves Maharashtra. These splendid and breathtaking caves of Ellora India cut out and carved from the vertical face of a cliff represent the three major religions : Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. This World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO consists of Jain and Hindu temples, viharas that is, monasteries and chaityas which are the halls of worship.
The thirty four temples and monasteries here date back to the 5th century AD and 11th century AD. Although twenty two more caves have been found here which are dedicated to the Hindu God - Lord Shiva. The caves in this Buddhist pilgrimage site in Maharashtra have been divided according to the religion. For example twelve of the caves (numbered 1 to 12) represent the Mahayana sect of Buddhism which was constructed between 550 AD and 750 AD. Seventeen caves (numbered 13 to 29) belong to the Hindu religion which was build between 600 AD and 875 AD. Five caves (numbered 30 to 34) comprise of the Jain religion which were built between 800 AD and 1000 AD.