5 Famous Caves in Maharashtra for Sightseeing with a Group
Maharashtra has some really old caves and if your group enjoys history or just likes seeing something different from the usual tourist spots, these places are worth the trip.
1. Ajanta Caves Everyone has heard of Ajanta at some point, mostly for the paintings inside. Seeing them in person is a different feeling altogether. It does take a few hours to walk through everything properly so keep that in mind while planning the day with your group.
2. Ellora Caves Not too far from Ajanta, so people usually cover both in one trip. The Kailasa temple here is the main highlight; it is carved out of one single rock and it is genuinely hard to believe this was done without any machines back then.
3. Karla Caves There is a bit of climbing involved to reach these caves but it is not too tough. Inside there is a large prayer hall, which is quite impressive. The view from up there is a nice bonus too.
4. Bhaja Caves These are close to Karla but much quieter. If your group is not a fan of crowded places, Bhaja is the better pick. The carvings here are simpler but you can tell how old the place really is just by looking around.
5. Elephanta Caves This one needs a boat ride since it is on an island near Mumbai, so it already feels like a mini trip before you even reach the caves. Once inside, the huge stone carvings, especially of Lord Shiva, are the main thing people come to see.
Since most of these caves are spread out and not really close to each other, it makes more sense for a group to travel together in one vehicle instead of splitting into multiple cars. A 17 seater force urbania on rent in Pune is a decent option here, comfortable for a mid-sized group, with enough space for longer drives, and everyone stays together throughout the trip instead of getting separated at different stops.