Explore India's rich heritage with a journey to these 13 must-visit historical caves. Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of ancient civilizations and cave art in India's remarkable caverns.
1. Ajanta Ellora Caves, Maharashtra
Situated in the Jalgaon city of Maharashtra, the Ajanta and Ellora caves are one of the most well-known caves in India.
2. Bhimbetka Caves, Madhya Pradesh
Bhimbetka Caves are situated inside Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. Recognized as a world heritage site, these caves display the earliest artworks of mankind.
3. Bagh Caves, Madhya Pradesh
Located on the bank of Baghani river at the Vindhyachal ranges in Madhya Pradesh, Bagh Caves are a set of nine rock-cut structures.
4. Badami Caves, Karnataka
Located in Karnataka, the Badami caves comprise of four caves out which two are dedicated to Lord Vishnu, one to Lord Shiva and another one to Jains.
5. Udayagiri Caves, Odisha
The ancient Udayagiri caves are situated near Bhubaneswar in the state of Odisha. The Udayagiri caves are famous for 33 rock-cut chambers displaying Hindu and Jain sculptures and wall paintings.
6. Elephanta Caves, Maharashtra
Located in the Himalayan Belt amidst the Kumaon Hills and blessed with beautiful lakes, Nainital is amongst the list of top hill stations in India in May & June.
7. Amarnath Cave, Jammu & Kashmir
The Amarnath cave is located in Jammu and Kashmir and is one of the most famous Hindu shrines. The shrine is dedicated to the God Shiva, claimed to be over 5,000 years old and forms an important part of ancient Hindu mythology.
8. Borra Caves, Vishakhapatnam
n the Anatagiri Hills of the Araku valley in Visakhapatnam, stand the Borra Caves. The presence of a naturally formed Shiva Lingam here makes these caves venerable by the tribal people inhabiting the villages around the caves.
9. Undavalli Caves,ย Andhra Pradesh
About 8 km from the city of Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, Undavalli Caves are situated on the banks of River Krishna. The caves are said to be built by the Vishnukundin Kings and in 7th century AD.
10. Varaha Cave, Tamil Nadu
Named after an incarnation of Lord Vishnu- "Varaha", these caves serve as the temple to Lord Vishnu.
11. Mawsmai Caves, Cherrapunjee
In Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya, Mawsmai Caves are natural limestone caves. Located near the beautiful Nohsngithiang falls, Mawsmai caves are popular among tourists visiting Meghalaya.
12. Jogimara Caves, Chhattisgarh
Jogimara Caves are situated in the dense forests of Chhattisgarh. The caves can be accessed through a natural tunnel known as Hathipol, the name pointing out that even elephants are able to pass through the tunnel.
13. Dungeshwari Caves, Bihar
Dungeshwari caves are located at about 12 km from Bodhgaya in Bihar. These caves are significant in Buddhism as it is believed that Buddha meditated here.