Ellora Caves in December
Maharashtra, India
Go December — year's clearest air, Cave 16 Kailasa at absolute peak, full 34-cave circuit at best.
Peak crowds
December is one of Ellora Caves's busiest months. The score rates conditions — weather, access, value — not how many people you'll share them with. CLOSED TUESDAYS. Weekends can be crowded. Start early morning to beat the heat.
December at Ellora is the year's clearest cave-day — 11-28°C, dry Deccan plateau at peak transparency, Cave 16 Kailasa Temple's yellow-grey basalt facade glowing in golden-hour light, the 34 rock-cut caves on the Charanandri Hills at best walking comfort. Christmas through New Year's Eve brings heritage-focused family arrivals — Aurangabad hotels (Vivanta by Taj, Welcomhotel Rama, Lemon Tree) at year-peak. The Ellora Festival tail can extend into the first week. Closed Tuesday.
The December story
December is textbook Ellora — book Aurangabad-base 60+ days ahead for Dec 24-Jan 2 stretch. Leave Aurangabad 8am, gate at 9am opening. ASI ticket ₹40 Indian / ₹600 foreign. Plan 5-6 hours. Cave 16 Kailasa first (90 min) — top-down monolithic excavation by Rashtrakuta Krishna I 8th c CE, twice the size of the Parthenon. Buddhist Cave 1-12 (Cave 10 Vishwakarma chaitya rib-vault). Hindu Cave 13-29 (Cave 14 Ravan-ki-Khai Ramayana, Cave 15 Dashavatara, Cave 21 Rameshwara, Cave 29 Dhumar Lena Trimurti). Jain Cave 30-34 (Cave 32 Indra Sabha pillared hall). Photography: December clear-sky Kailasa east-facade morning light is the year's peak shot. Combine with Daulatabad 17 km — December dawn at fort summit gives 40+ km Deccan views. Hotels at Dec 24-Jan 2 peak premium. Cave temperatures 18-22°C — light fleece for entry transition. ASI guides ₹500-800 for half-day. Avoid Tuesdays.
Why December scores 10.0/10
Weather
Best conditions — cool weather, clear skies, Kailasa Temple at its most photogenic
PEAK ALERT · JANUARY
Ellora Caves is at its best in January.
Save it to your shortlist and we'll help you catch January before it fills up.
What to do in Ellora Caves this December
- 1Visit Cave 16 Kailasa 9am for peak golden-hour facade
- 2Tour Cave 10 Vishwakarma Buddhist chaitya rib-vault ceiling
- 3Walk Cave 14, 15 Ramayana and Dashavatara panels
- 4Photograph Cave 32 Indra Sabha Jain pillared hall
- 5Combine with Daulatabad 17 km — dawn summit views 40 km
Who should go
- ✓First-time travelers
- ✓Senior citizens
- ✓Year-end heritage tourists wanting peak conditions
- ✓Photographers chasing clearest Kailasa east-facade shots
- ✓Family heritage tourists from Mumbai-Pune-Delhi NYE travel
- ✓Architecture students of Rashtrakuta monolithic carving
Who should think twice
- ✗Tuesday visitors — site closed
- ✗Bargain travellers — Dec 24-Jan 2 absolute peak
- ✗Last-minute bookers — hotels need 60+ days lead
- ✗Cool-weather-averse — Daulatabad/Kailasa courtyard 11°C dawn
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10.0/10 | Best time — cool weather ideal for exploring 34 caves |
| February | 10.0/10 | Excellent. Comfortable for the outdoor walk between caves |
| March | 8.0/10 | Getting warmer. Morning visits recommended |
| April | 4.0/10 | Hot 35°C+. Exposed path between caves. Tiring |
| May | 2.0/10 | Extremely hot 40°C+. Avoid |
| June | 4.0/10 | Monsoon — rain but caves provide shelter. Fewer crowds |
| July | 4.0/10 | Monsoon. Green surroundings but rain disrupts the walk |
| August | 4.0/10 | Heavy rain. Slippery paths |
| September | 6.0/10 | Monsoon ending. Pleasant. Green landscape |
| October | 8.0/10 | Post-monsoon — pleasant weather, green Deccan plateau |
| November | 10.0/10 | Excellent. Cool, comfortable. Peak season |
| Decemberviewing | 10.0/10 | Best conditions — cool weather, clear skies, Kailasa Temple at its most photogenic |
What to pack for December
- ▸Warm jacket — 11°C dawn
- ▸Walking shoes for cave-floor stones
- ▸Strong flashlight for cave interiors
- ▸Sunglasses for clear high-UV midday
- ▸Cash for ASI ticket and guide hire
Nearby in Maharashtra scoring high in December
How to reach Ellora Caves
Airport
Aurangabad Airport (IXU) — 30km
Rail
Aurangabad Railway Station — 30km
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