About Kailasa Temple, Ellora
The Kailasa Temple, numbered Cave 16, is the centrepiece of the Ellora Caves near Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) in Maharashtra. It is a full temple complex, with gateway, Nandi shrine, halls, sanctum and courtyard, carved out of one solid mass of basalt rock. The Ellora Caves, which include Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves side by side, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Kailasa is their most famous monument.
The temple was made to represent Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva. It is generally attributed to the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I in the 8th century CE, although some scholars think work may have continued under later rulers. Unlike a built temple, it was created by cutting away the hillside from the top downwards, removing a huge quantity of rock to leave the temple standing free in a pit. Today it is an ASI-protected monument and regular worship is not performed here; the living Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga temple is close by.
Visitors enter through a gateway into a courtyard where the main temple rises on a high base carved with rows of elephants and lions that seem to hold it up. A bridge leads to the Nandi mandapa and then to the main hall and sanctum with its linga. Two tall stone pillars and life-size elephants stand in the courtyard. Large panels show scenes such as Ravana shaking Mount Kailash, Shiva as Tripurantaka and stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Galleries cut into the surrounding cliff hold more sculpture, and a viewpoint above the cave gives a fine view of the whole temple.
Kailasa Temple, Ellora timings
The Ellora Caves are usually open from sunrise to sunset and are closed on Tuesdays. Times may vary; check locally before visiting.
Timings change on festivals, eclipses and special days. Please confirm locally before you travel.
How to reach Kailasa Temple, Ellora
By air
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) Airport is about 35 km away.
By train
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) railway station is about 30 km away.
By road
Buses and taxis run regularly from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to Ellora. Battery vehicles connect the different cave groups within the site.
Festivals at Kailasa Temple, Ellora
- Ellora-Ajanta International Festival (held in some years)Variable
- Maha Shivaratri (at nearby Grishneshwar)Feb/Mar
- Shravan Mondays (at nearby Grishneshwar)Jul/Aug
Visitor tips
- Dress code
- No formal dress code as it is a protected monument; modest, comfortable clothing and good walking shoes are recommended.
- Entry
- ASI entry ticket (separate rates for Indian and foreign visitors). The site is closed on Tuesdays.
- Remember that Ellora is closed on Tuesdays; plan your trip accordingly.
- Visit Kailasa early in the morning before the large groups arrive, and climb to the upper viewpoint for the best overall view.
- Carry water, a hat and comfortable shoes; there is a lot of walking on uneven rock.
- Do not touch or climb on the carvings; they are fragile and protected.
- Combine the visit with Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, which is very close by.
Places to visit near Kailasa Temple, Ellora
- Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga TempleThe twelfth Jyotirlinga, about 1.5 km away
- Daulatabad FortHill fortress with a tall victory tower, about 15 km away
- Bibi Ka Maqbara17th-century mausoleum in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, about 30 km away
- Ajanta CavesUNESCO-listed Buddhist caves with famous paintings, about 100 km away
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kailasa Temple at Ellora still a place of worship?
No regular worship is performed here; it is an ASI-protected monument. Devotees often visit the nearby Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga for puja.
What day is Ellora closed?
The Ellora Caves are closed on Tuesdays. On other days they are usually open from sunrise to sunset.
Who built the Kailasa Temple?
It is generally attributed to the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I in the 8th century, though work may have continued under later rulers.
Is Kailasa Temple carved from a single rock?
Yes. The whole temple was carved out of one basalt hill, working from the top downwards.
How to reach Ellora Caves?
Ellora is about 30 km from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), which has an airport and a railway station. Buses and taxis run regularly.
Is there a dress code at Kailasa Temple, Ellora?
No formal dress code as it is a protected monument; modest, comfortable clothing and good walking shoes are recommended.
Visited recently and noticed something has changed? Suggest an update — Sevaks help keep every temple guide accurate.
