The Pitalkhora Caves are a group of 14 rock-hewn cave sites located in the Satamala Range in Maharashtra’s Western Ghats. They may be found in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, in Kannad.
Some of the caves in this series, which are carved out of different kinds of basalt rock, have deteriorated. Four of the fourteen rock-cut caves are chaityas, while the remaining twelve are viharas.
There are two groups within the caves. Ten caves make up one group, while four caves make up the second group. The compound features a very old rainwater collection system, elephants, warriors, and a deteriorating Gaja Lakshmi idol. The Ellora Temple is about 40 km from the caves’ location.
There is a lovely waterfall next to the caves, and a set of concrete steps leads up to the caves. Even strange sculptures, like the Yaksa figures, are housed within the complex. The complex consists of a chaitya hall, a group of viharas, and tiny stupa-filled caves in the canyon.
History of Pitalkhora caves
Buddhist histories like Ptolemy’s Petrigala and Pitangalya of the Mahamayuri mention these Pitalkhora Caves. These caves have inscriptions from as early as the 250th century B.C. to the third and fourth centuries.
These caves are significant historically since they date to the Hinayana period of Buddhism, and some of the paintings that have survived date to the Mahayana period.
How to reach
By bus: State buses that go from Pune, Shirdi, Mumbai, Ahmednagar, Ahmedabad, Dhule, Jalgaon, Hyderabad, and Nasik to Aurangabad may take travellers to the location of these caves.
The closest train station is Jalgaon, which is located 59 kilometres away from Ellora. Every day, the Devgiri Express and Tapovan Express run between Aurangabad and Mumbai.
The closest airport is located 12 km from Aurangabad and 30 km from Ellora. It is called Chikalthana.
Timings
The caves are accessible from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.
Entry Fee of Pitalkhora caves
The cost of an admission ticket is Rs 100 for foreign visitors and Rs 10 for Indian tourists per person.
Activities to do in and around
Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Bani Begum Bagh, Grishneshwar Temple, Khuldabad, Bibi ka Maqbara, Daulatabad Fort, Panchakki, and many more attractions can be found in the vicinity of Pitalkhora.
The Ellora caves have 34 rock-cut cave temples, with the Ajanta caves being the most visited in Maharashtra.
In honour of his wife, Bani Begum, Aurangazeb created the lovely garden known as Bani Begum Bagh.
The Best time to visit
The months of October through March are the ideal times to visit the caves.
You may also like:
Elephanta Caves: Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting It
Devgad Fort: Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting It
