PHOTOS: Take a virtual tour of Ellora, a UNESCO World Heritage site

Ellora caves: The beautiful cculptures from the magnificent rock-cut caves of Ellora celebrate the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. 

Come, take a virtual tour of Ellora, one of the largest single rock cut monastic cave complexes in the world that contains the largest single monolithic excavation in the world, popularly known as the Kailasha Cave.

There is no clear demarcation between caves belonging to different faiths. 15 caves are grouped together, out of these the first 12 are Buddhist, the next three are Brahmanical.

All you need to know about Ellora caves:  If you are visiting the world heritage site for the first time, carry with you the slim ASI publication called Ellora, one of a series on World Heritage sites. It has all the necessary information, maps, photographs and drawings essential for you.

Do visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ellora barely 30 kilometres from Aurangabad. It is one of the largest single rock cut monastic cave complexes in the world and contains the largest single monolithic excavation in the world, popularly known as the Kailasha Cave.

Carved in the black basaltic stone of the lush green Sahyadris, the organic colors from the frescoes of the Ellora caves enhance the scenery

It is said that in 1819, a British Army Officer unintentionally stumbled upon these caves during his hunting expedition. The skill of the myriad unknown Indian artists at Ellora, astounds and fascinates the tourists. Tourists are certain to walk away with some great insights about India's affluent cultural inheritance.

Interestingly, the incredible rock cut sculptures were made by hands, with just a chisel and hammer! Just imagine! The Ellora Caves had remained cloaked in obscurity for more than a hundred years.

Ellora caves tour: If you plan to visit, spend most of your time at the Kailash temple, but that isn’t the only gem that Ellora has to offer. The Buddhist monasteries are multi-floored caverns.

Although there are a large number of caves spread across 2 kilometres, only 34 are open to tourists, and these include 12 Buddhist caves to the south, followed by 17 Brahmanical caves and 5 Jain caves to the north.