10 Best Caves in Maharashtra to Explore by Road
India is the land of beauty and wonder and one of the most mysterious places to explore is the number of caves. If cave exploration is your thing, you must visit the enchanting and surreal caves in Maharashtra. The beauty of these caves is something to be appreciated and there is a lot of scope of photography here. You can learn a lot about the history of the land and its topography through the exploration of these caves.
Top 10 Historic Caves In Maharashtra
- Ajanta Caves
- Ellora Caves
- Elephanta Caves
- Karla Caves
- Bhaja Caves
- Bedse caves
- Lenyadri Caves
- Aurangabad Caves
- limestone caves
- Bahrot Caves
1. Ajanta Caves
Anybody who has an interest in caves is aware of the famous Ajanta & Ellora Caves in Maharashtra. These two caves are located close to each other. The 34 rock-cut Ajanta caves are the most famous in the state of Maharashtra. At present, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Kailasha Temple and its architecture in the caves are something you must witness. It is a kind of cave that you will hardly find anywhere else.
- Location: Ajanta Caves Road, Aurangabad, Maharashtra
- Best time to travel: November to February
2. Ellora Caves
Ellora Caves near Aurangabad in Maharashtra attract tourists from across the world. The Ellora Caves are dedicated to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. However, you will find mostly the influence of Hinduism in the caves. There are several paintings and sculptures in the caves that depict Hindu mythology. This is a great place for the cultural buff as they will get many things of their interest here.
- Location: Khulatabad, Aurangabad, Maharashtra
- Best time to travel: November to February
3. Elephanta Caves
Elephanta Caves are one of the most ancient caves in Maharashtra. The World Heritage Site witnesses a huge crowd of tourists almost all round the year. There is a lot of influence on Hinduism and Buddhism here. The Hindu deity Lord Shiva is featured in several forms in the caves. Away from the hustles of the city life of Mumbai, Elephanta caves are the place where you should go to relax while enjoying the architecture of the caves and the scenic beauty of the surrounding areas. Apart from this, there are many other things to do here, such as trekking and hiking.
- Location: Gharapuri, Maharashtra
- Best time to travel: November to February
4. Karla Caves
Karla Caves are located very close to Mumbai and known for the uniquely designed caves. One of the most attractive features of these caves is the well-preserved prayer hall, which dates back to the 1st century. You can also find several sculptures of lions, elephants, and other animals on the walls of the hall.
- Location: Karla, Lonavala, Maharashtra
- Best time to travel: November to March
5. Bhaja Caves
Bhaja Caves are one of the oldest Buddhist caves in Maharashtra. You will be able to see several sculptures and paintings that were inspired by the Hinayana phase of Buddhism. There are sculptures of animals and embellishments in the caves, which are no less than a treat to the culture aficionados. The architecture of Bhaja Caves is something to admire.
- Location: Bhaje Caves Road, Near Bhaja Village Maval District, Lonavala
- Best time to travel: November to March
6. Bedse Caves
If you are seeking peace, do not think twice and head to Bedse Caves. The Bedse Caves are divided into two parts – monastery and the prayer hall. As you enter the caves, you will be able to see sculpted pillars as well as statues of elephants, bulls, and lions. The ambiance is peaceful and has spiritual vibes.
- Location: Maval taluka, Pune, Maharashtra
- Best time to travel: October to February
7. Lenyadri Caves
One of the famous caves in Maharashtra is Lenyadri Caves. It is believed that Hindu deity Lord Ganesha was born in these caves; thus, you can find a very famous Ganesha temple here. This place is also popular for the Ashtavinayak Yatra. These caves also have a lot of influence of Buddhism. These caves are the homes of many Buddhist monks as well.
- Location: Lenyadri Ganapati Road, Junnar, Maharashtra
- Best time to travel: November to March
8. Aurangabad Caves
A cluster of 12 caves, Aurangabad caves are the best place if you are planning to visit the famous caves in Maharashtra by road. It is a cluster of 12 rock-cut caves, which once were shrines of Buddhist monks. These caves are regularly frequented by Buddhist devotees.
- Location: Grishneswar temple Road, Aurangabad, Maharashtra
- Best time to travel: November to March
9. Limestone Caves
These limestone caves in Maharashtra are a cluster of 19 rock-cut caves and devoted to Buddhism. It is one of the most sought after places for the history buffs as they can find inscriptions written in Pali.
- Location: Mahakali Caves Rd, Sunder Nagar, Andheri East, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Best time to travel: November to March
10. Bahrot Caves
Perched at a height of 1500 feet, the Bahrot caves are often visited by Parsi devotees. There is a Parsi temple in these caves. You can also find several artifacts, pottery, and coins related to Parsi religion here.
- Location: Dhamanagaon, Maharashtra
- Best time to travel: October to March
The caves in Maharashtra are as beautiful as they are mysterious and most have a link to the history of the land. This makes them a great option for any holidays and road trips since they are also set in beautiful surroundings. If you wish to go for a road trip to any of these caves, you can take a self-drive car rental in Maharashtra and spend as much as you want to explore these caves.
