Best Photo Spots in Ellora
Ellora's caves are cut into a cliff that faces west, so the courtyards sit in soft shade in the morning and the low afternoon sun reaches into the cave fronts. Kailasa is the photo everyone wants, and the best version of it is taken from the rim of the cliff above.
Medium crowdEntry Included
Buddhist Caves (1–12)
- Best timeLate afternoon, when the sun comes through the arched window of Cave 10 and lights the Buddha; early morning for empty halls.
- ColorsSaffronOchreCream
High crowdEntry Ticketed
Ellora Caves
- Best timeEarly morning, before the tour coaches, when the cliff is in soft shade; late afternoon, when low sun lights the west-facing cave fronts.
- ColorsRustOchreCream
High crowdEntry Free
Grishneshwar Temple
- Best timeEarly morning, when the carved tower is in soft light and the queue is short; evening, when the lamps are lit for aarti.
- ColorsSaffronRedWhite
Medium crowdEntry Included
Jain Caves (30–34)
- Best timeLate morning, when the Indra Sabha courtyard is bright and the tour groups are still at Kailasa; late afternoon for warm light on the carved fronts.
- ColorsCreamOchreMaroon
High crowdEntry Ticketed
Kailasa Temple (Cave 16)
- Best timeEarly morning, when the courtyard is quiet and in soft shade; late afternoon, when the low sun lights the west-facing front of the temple.
- ColorsRustCreamSaffron
Light on a west-facing cliff
The whole ridge faces west. In the first hours after opening, the cave fronts are in even shade, which suits the dark basalt and keeps harsh contrast off faces. From mid-afternoon the sun swings round and lights the carved facades directly, warming the grey stone to brown and gold. Around noon the light is flat and the courtyards are hot, so use that time for cave interiors.
Kailasa from above and below
At Kailasa, start in the courtyard before the crowds arrive. Frame one of the stone elephants with the main shrine rising behind it, or shoot up the side of the tower from the corner of the courtyard. Then take the path up to the rim of the cliff. From there the temple sits in its pit as one single block, which no photo from ground level can show.
Inside the caves
Cave 10, the Buddhist prayer hall, is the best interior at Ellora: a ribbed ceiling cut to look like timber and a seated Buddha at the far end. Hold still, raise the ISO and let your eyes adjust rather than using flash. In the Jain caves, the Indra Sabha has a small shrine standing free in its courtyard and a carved lotus on the ceiling above. Along the main cliff, a long lens from the path picks out the row of cave doorways.
Grishneshwar: outside only
Phones and cameras are not allowed inside Grishneshwar Temple. Take your photo of the carved tower from outside before you hand your phone in, and keep it respectful when people are praying.
Rules for cameras
Photography for personal use is allowed in the caves. Do not use flash near carvings or traces of paint. Tripods and drones need ASI permission, so do not bring a drone unless you have it in writing. Ask before you photograph people, especially pilgrims.
Questions
Ellora — FAQ
Can I use a tripod at Ellora?
Not without permission from the ASI. Handheld photos are fine. If you need a tripod for professional work, apply to the ASI in advance.
Can I fly a drone over Kailasa?
No, not without official permission, which is not given at the gate. Protected monuments like Ellora are no-fly areas for drones without clearance.
Where is the viewpoint over Kailasa Temple?
A path from the courtyard area climbs to the top of the cliff that surrounds the temple. Walk along the rim for the overhead view. Keep well back from the edge.
Can I take photos inside Grishneshwar Temple?
No. Phones and cameras are not allowed inside, and there are lockers outside. Take your photos of the tower from the outside before you go in.