Ellora

Another World Heritage site, the 34 rock-cut caves of Ellora, carved halfway up a hill, are decorated with Buddhist, Hindu, and Jainist sculptures and paintings. The most striking carving is the massive, elaborately sculpted temple of Kailasa, which portrays Mount Kailasa, Lord Shiva's Himalayan dwelling.

Accommodations and restaurants at Ellora are meager, so it is best to use nearby Aurangabad (see above) as a base.

How to Get There
Frequent buses shuttle between Ellora and Aurangabad. You can also hire an autorickshaw or taxi, but make sure you negotiate a return fare that includes adequate waiting time at the caves.

How to Get Around
You explore the caves on foot.

Attractions
Although quite a few of Ellora's cave murals have unfortunately faded over time—largely due to dampness—the caves will still take your breath away. Many are multi-story, and the sheer number impresses. Perhaps Ellora's most noteworthy cave is the Kailasa Temple (also referred to as Kailasanatha and Cave 16), which is not only a brilliant feat of engineering (200,000 tons of rock had to be removed to create this temple), but also contains some magnificent sculptures that include scenes from the holy Hindu texts, the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Places to Eat
The best eateries around Ellora are in the hotels. Aurangabad, 30 kilometers (19 miles) away, has a handful of good independent eateries, including:

The Tandoor Restaurant & Bar, which serves flavorful tandoori fare (cooked in a clay oven) in addition to traditional North Indian and Chinese dishes. Shyam Chambers, Station Road East, Aurangabad.

The atmospheric Food Lovers, which is a pleasant garden eatery with good Indian (primarily Punjabi) and Chinese food at fair prices. Station Road East, Aurangabad.

Places to Stay
There is only one hotel in Ellora that is worthy of recommendation: the pleasing Hotel Kailas, a complex of mid-priced stone-cobbled cottages set in a nice garden. Somewhat basically furnished but comfortable, many of the cottages have views of the caves. There is a restaurant on site. Ellora; tel. +91 (0)2437 244543.

If Hotel Kailas is full, it's best to stay in nearby Aurangabad, which has a good selection of hotels and restaurants.

The most lavish hotel in Aurangabad is the Taj Residency, set amid pretty landscaped gardens, which has a range of elegant rooms. All are modern and tastefully appointed, with all the trimmings you'd expect of a five-star property. Amenities include a swimming pool and a bundle of very good restaurants. Ajanta Road, Aurangabad; tel. +91 (0)240 238 1106; e-mail residency.aurangabad@tajhotels.com.

Also in Aurangabad is the mid-priced Hotel Classic, offering contemporary, well-maintained rooms and a good restaurant. Railway Station Road, Aurangabad; tel. +91 (0)240 562 4315.

General Tips for Ellora
The Ellora Caves are closed on Tuesdays.

The caves can get very crowded on weekends and holidays, so try to visit on weekdays (and, if possible, plan your trip to avoid Indian holidays).

It's worth hiring a government-approved guide (ask for identification) to really bring the caves to life; expect to pay around $7 for a two-hour guided tour.

For More Information
Government of India Tourist Office, Aurangabad Krishna Vilas, Station Road West, Aurangabad; tel. +91 (0)240 233 1217.
Maharashtra Travel Destination