Ellora's Buddhist caves (numbered 1-12) form the oldest group at the site, dating roughly from the 6th to 8th centuries CE, and include some of the largest multi-storey monastery caves in India.
Viharas and Chaityas
Most of the Buddhist caves are viharas — monastery halls lined with small cells where monks lived and meditated — while a few, like Cave 10, are chaityas, or prayer halls, built around a central stupa.
Cave 10 — The Vishvakarma Cave
The standout among the Buddhist group, this chaitya hall features a large seated Buddha carved into the stupa and an impressively vaulted, ribbed ceiling designed to echo timber temple construction in stone.
Cave 12 — The Three-Storey Monastery
One of the largest viharas at Ellora, spread across three levels with rows of Buddha and Bodhisattva sculptures — a good example of how elaborate the later Buddhist caves at the site became compared to earlier, simpler examples.
Visiting Tips
The Buddhist caves are at the southern end of the site and a natural starting point for a visit, before moving on to the more famous Hindu caves further along.
