Junnar Caves

About Junnar Caves

The first group of caves, the Tulija Lena, consists of the Chaitya hall, adorned with a circular dome ceiling. The second group is situated near the Manmodi hills is archaeologically quite significant. Archaeologists visit these caves on a frequent basis, to testify the sculptures and images in the caves. The third group of caves, known as Ganesh Lena, is approximately 4 km to the south of Junnar. This group consists of a number of small cells and viharas, with most popular ones being the Chaitya Cave No. 6 and the Ganesh Lena Vihara.

History

The Junnar hill, situated at a small place known as Junnar(birthplace of great Indian warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji) in Maharashtra homes a cluster of ancient Buddhist caves. Belonging to the period between 2nd century BCE to the 3rd century CE, the Junnar caves due to their construction and architecture, attract the tourists, Buddhists and archaeologists.

The Junnar caves have been divided into three major categories
a. Tulija Lena group
b. Manmodi Hill group, and
c. Ganesh Lena group.

The Tulija Lena group, 5 kilometers to the west, comprising Chaityas or the prayer halls, has a circular dome ceiling in the Chaiya hall in the cave number 3. The second group of caves, which lies 1.5 kilometers south of Junnar towards the Manmodi hills, constitute a well preserved facade. The third group, the Ganesh Lena group, which is located 4 kilometers south of Junnar, comprises a large number of small cells and viharas. The main vihara of this group has been named ‘Ganesh Lena’, after the group with same name.

Interesting things to Visit

Biwi-Ka-Maqbara:
The tomb is a replica of the Taj Mahal, and the most beautiful structure in Aurangabad. It was built in 1678 by Aurangzeb’s son, Prince Azam Shahas.

Lonar:
This place has a mouth of volcano which ranks amongst the world’s largest five.The Lonar crater is the world’s only salt water lake in basaltic rock, believed to have been caused by a meteorite hitting Earth around 50,000 years ago. It is surrounded by jungle with a large variety of birds, particularly peacocks, owls, red-wattled Lapwings and ducks. Thirteen temples surround the lake.

Panchakki:
The Panchakki or the watermills was built in 1624 AD as a memorial to Muslim Saint Baba Shah Muzaffar.This monument located in Aurangabad, Maharastra, displays the scientific thought process put in medieval Indian architecture. It was designed to generate energy via water brought down form a spring on a mountain.

Aurangabad Buddhist Caves:
Dating back to the period between 4th-8th century CE, the Aurangabad Buddhist caves lie in the city of Aurangabad, Maharashtra. These caves include a cluster of total nine rock cut caves, most of which were built by the Vakataka and the Chalukya rulers. The rock cut caves have been divided into the eastern and western caves, while all of them belonging to the Mahayana sect of Buddhism, except cave 4th(Theravadin) as an exception. One of the cave temples, the 6th one, has been dedicated to the Hindu God Ganesha.

Nearest Visiting places

Pithalkora Caves:
The scenic beauty of the Satmala hills attract the tourists to its most treasured possession - the Pithalkora Caves. Situated at a distance of 78 kilometers from Aurangabad in Maharashtra, the Pithalkora caves are the largest Theravadin caves of the Indian sub-continent. These caves home Buddhist temples, monasteries and viharas belonging to the ancient era, which is from 2nd century BCE to the 1st century CE.

Elephanta Caves:
The Elephana or Gharapuri caves, located 9 miles across the Arabian sea from the Gateway of India in Mumbai, hosts some magnificent rock cut caves. These cave temples, dating back to the 7th century, have been dedicated to the Hindu lord Shiva, by reflecting Him in three main forms of the Creator, Protector and the Destroyer.

Ajanta Caves:
One of the major heritages of India, the Ajanta caves are situated on the Sahyadri hills at a distance of 108 kilometers from Aurangabad. A unique collection of architecture, sculpture and paintings, these ancient caves, 30 in number, comprises mainly Chaityas or prayer halls, Viharas or monasteries and images of the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas.

Ellora Caves:
The Ellora caves,
located 26 kilometers north of Aurangabad are not only magnificent in architecture, but at the same time presents a unique combination of temples of all three major religions in the ancient India - the Buddhist temples, the Jain temples and the Hindu temples. The Ellora caves, 34 in number, also consists of Buddhist Chaityas, Viharas, temples and monasteries.

Karla Caves:
Situated at a distance of 11 kilometers from Lonavla in Maharashtra, the Karla caves dates back to the 2nd century CE. These caves, comprising large Chaitya halls and viharas, are an excellent example of the magnificent Indian Buddhist architecture.

Bhaja Caves:
The Bhaja caves, 12 kilometers away from Lonavla in Maharashtra, are 18 in number. These caves belong to the 2nd century BCE and includes mainly Chaityas and Viharas, which are also some of the finest examples of the Indian sculptural and architectural style. Cave number 12, the Chaita hall, is the largest cave of all, while cave number 1 is the best in architecture. The last cave has pictures of a prince seated on an elephant among many others thereby depicting the phases of the Buddha’s life.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

Harpreet Hotels Business hotel
NH 211, Aurangabad, Aurangabad, Maharashtra 431005

Aurangabad Hotel & Resort
Railway Station Road, OPP. MTDC,
Near Goldie Cinema, Aurangabad, Maharashtra 411001

Help Line/Phone Number

Nearest Hospital:

Kodlikeri Momorail Hospital
8,Jalna Road,Opposite Akashwani,
Manjeet Nagar, Aurangabad, 431005

Kamalnayan Bajaj Hospital
Gut No 43,Beed Bypass Road Bajaj Marg,
Satara Parisar, Aurangabad, 431005

Tirupati Hospital
X-278,Tirupati Hospital,
M T D C, Aurangabad, 431001

The Ellora caves, locally known as ‘Verul Leni’ is located on the Aurangabad-Chalisgaon road at a distance of 30 km north-northwest of Aurangabad, the district headquarters. The Ellora caves is one of the World Heritage Sites in India. The Elora caves are one of the wonders of the time and speak volumes about the excellent craftsmanship of the Ellora artists, sculptors and painters. The structures at Ellora caves are not creation of a particular period but were built over a long period of time from the 6th century AD to 10th century. The structures at Ellora comprise of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain cave temples and monasteries……more

Jaikwadi dam, also known as Nath Sagar is located near Paithan.It is about 50 km from Aurangabad, built on river Godavari and about 110 km from Ahmednagar. Its area is 1300 km². It supplies water to Aurangabad City and generates power.The power station is at the foot of dam and is generating 12 MW power with reversible type generator.The Jaikwadi Dam supplies water to Aurangabad City and generates ample hydroelectric power……more

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Location info

• **Address:**Aurangabad, Maharashtra,India.

• District: Aurangabad district.

• Nearest City: Aurangabad

• Best time to visit: Can be visited anytime in the year.

Things to do at Junnar Caves

Enjoy the beauty of the Junnar caves,paintings,explore the city of Aurangabad and visit other nearby caves.

How to reach Junnar Caves

• Nearest Railway Station: Mumbai, which is connected with all the major Indian cities.

• Nearest Airport: Mumbai, 177 kms away.

• Road Transport: The Junnar caves, which lie on the Mumbai-Aurangabad route, can be reached by coaches, buses or even private taxis.

Best time to visit Junnar Caves

October to March: comfortable temperatures for exploring. Caves provide natural shelter from heat.

Timings & opening hours

Typically open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. Closed on Mondays at some sites.

Entry fee & tickets

INR 25–40 for Indian nationals, INR 300–600 for foreign nationals. Free for children under 15.

Duration needed

1–2 hours for a group of caves. Ajanta and Ellora each require half a day to a full day.

Safety tips

Carry a torch/flashlight — interior areas may be dimly lit. Watch your step on uneven stone floors. Do not touch the paintings or carvings — oils from fingers can damage them. Photography rules vary by cave.

Things to carry

Torch/flashlight, comfortable walking shoes, water bottle, camera (check photography policy), and a light jacket (caves are cooler inside).

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest airport: Aurangabad Airport (IXU) or Mumbai International Airport. Nearest railway station: Aurangabad, Lonavala, or nearest station. Accessible by road.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, and Vi all provide excellent coverage across Maharashtra’s cities (Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur) and major tourist areas. 4G is reliable along highways and in most towns. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Tadoba, Melghat, and certain ghat sections. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and cafes.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Maharashtrian cuisine — missal pav, vada pav, puran poli, and local thalis — is widely available.

Climate & weather

Maharashtra has a diverse climate spanning coastal Konkan, the Western Ghats, and the interior Deccan plateau. Winter (November–February) is the best time to visit: temperatures range from 12°C to 30°C depending on region. Summer (March–June) is hot, with interior areas reaching 40°C+ while hill stations (Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala) remain pleasant. The monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rainfall to the coast and ghats but transforms the landscape into lush green. October–November is pleasant post-monsoon.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road to Junnar Caves. It is advisable to fill fuel before heading to remote areas, especially hill forts and wildlife sanctuaries.

Frequently asked questions

What are the visiting hours? Caves are typically open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. Some caves (like Ajanta) are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays.

Are the caves well-lit inside? Major caves have lighting, but carrying a torch is recommended for exploring deeper chambers.

Can I take photographs? Photography is generally permitted without flash. Video cameras may incur an additional fee at some sites.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not currently available for this site. Contact the venue directly or check with your accommodation for the latest accessibility details.

Rules & restrictions

Standard visitor rules apply. Check locally for any specific restrictions at this site.

Best photography spots

The best photography spots are typically during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon). Scout the location first to identify the best angles, and consider the direction of light at different times of day.

Quick facts

• Location: Maharashtra
• Best time to visit: November to February for pleasant weather
• Ideal duration: 1-3 hours for a thorough exploration
• Entry: Entry fee applicable (varies for Indian and foreign tourists)
• Guided tour: Available on request at the ticket counter
• Photography: Permitted in most areas; flash may be restricted

Visitor information

• Timings: Generally open from sunrise to sunset. Verify local timings before planning your visit.
• Entry fee: Entry fee applies as per Archaeological Survey of India rates. Check at the ticket counter for current charges.
• Best time to visit: October to March for the most comfortable weather conditions.
• Duration needed: 1 to 2 hours recommended for a comfortable visit.

Map & location view

• Destination: Junnar Caves
• State: Maharashtra, India
• Region: archeological region of Maharashtra
• How to reach: Accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. Local transport options include buses and taxis.
• Google Maps: Search for “Junnar Caves, Maharashtra” on Google Maps for precise directions and navigation.

Photo gallery of Junnar Caves

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Junnar Caves on popular travel photography sites and social media.