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The history of India is hidden in its old caves, which call tourists from all over the world. Ajanta, Ellora, and Elephanta Caves of Maharashtra, Bhimbetka Rock Shelters in Madhya Pradesh, and Mahabalipuram Caves of Tamil Nadu are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include Buddhist paintings, Hindu temples, Jain sculptures, and Stone Age, which shows India’s Cultural and Religious Diversity.

These caves are not just rock-cut architecture, but the treasure of old-fashioned art, religion, and life. Ajanta’s Buddha Paintings, Ellora’s Kailas Temple, Elephanta’s Trimurti, Bhimbetka’s prehistoric portrait, and Relief of Mahabalipuram, everywhere, have their own distinct stories. If you like history and adventure, the details of these caves will definitely look fun. Come, learn about them.

UNESCO Caves of Maharashtra

There are three UNESCO caves in Maharashtra, Ajanta, Ellora, and Elephanta. Ajanta caves are near Aurangabad, with 30 Buddhist rock-cut caves (2nd century BCE-480 CE). They are famous for Buddha’s life and paintings of jatak stories, which are made of natural colors. Cave 1 has a statue of Buddha’s Dharmachakra Enforcement Mudra. In 1983, UNESCO made them heritage site.

Ellora caves are also in Aurangabad, including 34 caves (600–1000 CEs), 12 Buddhists, 17 Hindus, and 5 Jains. The Kailas Temple of Cave 16 is the world’s largest monolithic structure, dedicated to Shiva. Here are the Relief of Ramayana and Mahabharata, which show the tolerance of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain. UNESCO site was formed in 1983. Elephanta Caves are on the island of Elifanta near Mumbai. 7 rock-cut caves (5th-6th century CE) are dedicated to Shiva, which has a 7 meter high Trimurti statue. The Portuguese, after seeing the elephant idol, named the name “Elephanta”. UNESCO site was formed in 1987.

Bhimbetka and Mahabalipuram

The caves of Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are also in the list of UNESCO. Bhimbetka Rock Shelters is in Vindhya Mountains near Bhopal. More than 700 shelters have painting of the Stone Age, which shows hunting, dance, and tribal life. These shelters discovered in 1957 became UNESCO site in 2003. These are the oldest cultural evidence of India.

Mahabalipuram caves are on the banks of the Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu. The Pallava dynasty built them in the 7th-8th century. The Varaha Cave Temple, dedicated to Vishnu, and Ganga incarnation relief are the specialty here. There are also 10 pavilion caves and 5 chariot temples. In 1984, UNESCO made them heritage site. These caves learn the art and architecture of South India. Both places are special for history and tourism.