Ellora Caves in March
Maharashtra, India
Wait March — workable mornings, hot Kailasa courtyard afternoons; visit only if you can finish by 1pm.
March at Ellora starts the heat ramp — 18-35°C, dry Deccan plateau, mornings still pleasant for the 34-cave circuit but afternoons heating up on the exposed Kailasa courtyard (the temple is cut down into the rock, so the courtyard is sun-exposed) and the inter-cave walks. Cave interiors stay cool (basalt 18-22°C insulator) but the transitions warm fast. Cave 16 Kailasa morning facade light (9-10:30am) still spectacular. Holi (Mar 3 2026) and Gudi Padwa (Mar 17) bring Aurangabad festival energy. Closed Tuesday.
The March story
Front-load the day — Aurangabad 30 km base, leave 7:30am, gate at 8:30am. Cave 16 Kailasa first (90 min morning facade light at peak). Buddhist Cave 1-12 next. Hindu Cave 13-29 — visit Cave 14, 15, 21, 29 before noon. Jain Cave 30-34 in early afternoon (sheltered interior). Lunch at gate canteen 1pm. ASI ticket ₹40/₹600. Strong torch for Cave 10 Vishwakarma chaitya and Kailasa interior chambers. Combine with Daulatabad 17 km — but skip Daulatabad climb in March afternoon (heat dangerous on bare-rock fort). Time Holi Mar 3 if combining with Aurangabad old-city festival days. Hotels (Vivanta, Welcomhotel, Lemon Tree) dropping 10-15% mid-March as off-peak begins. Photography: March golden-hour Kailasa facade (8-9am) at year-best. Bring 3L water and sun gear for Kailasa courtyard time. Cave interior temperature drop is real — carry light scarf. Return drive 30 km to Aurangabad — start by 3pm to avoid noon-3pm peak heat on NH-211.
Why March scores 8.0/10
Weather
Getting warmer. Morning visits recommended
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 March
- 1Arrive 8:30am for opening at Ellora gate
- 2Start Cave 16 Kailasa for golden-hour facade light
- 3Walk Cave 10 Vishwakarma chaitya rib-vault ceiling
- 4Visit Jain Cave 32 Indra Sabha sheltered interior
- 5Lunch at gate canteen 1pm, return drive by 3pm
Who should go
- ✓First-time travelers
- ✓Senior citizens
- ✓Early-bird tourists starting Aurangabad 7:30am
- ✓Photography enthusiasts chasing Kailasa morning golden hour
- ✓Heritage tourists ok with morning-only walk schedule
- ✓Festival travellers combining Holi Mar 3 with Ellora day
Who should think twice
- ✗Afternoon-arrival visitors — courtyard brutal post-noon
- ✗Tuesday visitors — site closed
- ✗Heat-sensitive tourists from cooler climates
- ✗First-time UNESCO visitors who can flex to Nov-Feb
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 |
| Marchviewing | 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 |
| December | 10.0/10 | Best conditions — cool weather, clear skies, Kailasa Temple at its most photogenic |
What to pack for March
- ▸Sun hat with neck flap
- ▸3L water + electrolyte sachets
- ▸Strong flashlight for cave interiors
- ▸Sunglasses + SPF 50+ sunscreen
- ▸Light scarf for cave-interior temperature drops
Nearby in Maharashtra scoring high in March
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