Featuring spiritual relics, age-old inscriptions, and unique geological formations, India is home to many caves that have several well-preserved stories to tell. We round up a few that will have you summoning your inner Indiana Jones. By Eshita Srinivas
For years, cavers and explorers alike have stepped into naturally-occurring cavities to uncover the secrets of the earth. In India, there are several grottos dotted across the country’s landscape, flanked by towering mountains and dense forests. And while the more popular spots like Ajanta and Ellora and Tabo find their way into most travel itineraries, there are several underrated natural formations replete with sacred relics, millennia-old inscriptions, and a maze of pathways that will delight any wanderer. Here’s our guide to must-visit caves in India.
These stunning caves in India will turn you into a spelunker
Mawsmai, Meghalaya
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The approach to these natural limestone caves is dotted with billowing trees and chirping birds. Located right next door to the stunning Nohsngithiang falls, these caves feature narrow passageways, which might sometimes call for crawling and squeezing. The route is accessible, safe, and illuminated by tube lights for your Instagram clicks. While here, spend a while peering at the walls to spot fossils and other formations. Take a stroll in the surrounding forest or sign up for ziplining once you’re on the other side of this structure.
Udayagiri, Madhya Pradesh
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Located in Udayagiri, about five kilometres from Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, these are twenty rock-cut caves that date back to the 5th century CE and are of great significance to archaeological studies in India. Carved out of a sandstone hill, inscriptions here hint at excavation efforts during the rule of king Chandragupta. Jain monasteries and Hindu temples are often visited here, with panels featuring sculptures and ornately carved figures of traditional Gods and mythological characters. The top of the hill has the most stunning view of forest cover down below.
Krem Puri, Meghalaya
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Believed to be one of the world’s longest sandstone caves, Krem Puri, at 24,584 metres, is almost three times the height of Mount Everest! Located near the village of Laitsohum in Mawsynram, this cavern is rich in fauna and is most known for its dinosaur fossils, with evidence of carnivorous Mosasaurus from over 76 million years ago discovered here. Wrought with complex passages, the cave is best explored by those who lead an active lifestyle. A guide here is a must, and about 1 kilometre is how far most tours take you. Begin early in the day and gear up to crawl your way through narrow spaces with gloves and knee pads to support you.
Amarnath, Jammu and Kashmir
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A cave temple that’s of significant spiritual importance to millions in the country, Amarnath is located at an elevation of 3,888 metres. Surrounded by snow-clad mountains, the cave is home to a stunning ice sculpture that is believed to represent the deity Shiva who, according to legend, unlocked the secrets to immortality and the formation of the universe at this destination. This also makes it one of 18 holy shrines in Hinduism, and the caves are visited by pilgrims and curious travellers alike.
Badami, Karnataka
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This is a group of four rock-cut caves carved out of a hill next to the popular Badami fort and features a complex of temples. Each is a remnant of the Chalukya dynasty that is believed to have ruled the town from 540 AD to 757 AD and is numbered one to four, based on the date of creation. The temples are also connected by over 200 steps that have been carved into the mountain, with terraces that overlook the town of Badami. Look for the stunning man-made lake Agastya Theertha and take in the red sandstone cliffs while here.
The Arvalem Caves, Goa
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These mystical caves, carved out of single laterite rock, tell the tale of the five Pandava brothers from the Mahabharata who spent their exile in this destination. Other anecdotes credit Buddhist monks with the construction of these structures. Naturally, the exact origin of these caves is yet to be determined. Divided into five segments, the spot hosts shrines with inscriptions, much like that in Ellora and Ajanta and has a sanctuary at the northern end as well as a vihara in the southern end. Unlike most other caves, however, the walls and ceilings are bare.
Borra, Andhra Pradesh
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Perched on the Ananthagiri Hills in Araku, Andhra Pradesh, Borra caves were believed to have been formed due to the flow of river Gosthani on limestone deposits. Featured here are several stunning stalactite and stalagmite formations. The cave was discovered by William King George of the Geological Survey of India in 1807.
However, residents of the surrounding villages insist that it was a cowherd who chanced upon them years ago. A temple built here is frequented by pilgrims. The structure has a 100-metre opening on a horizontal plane and 75 metres on a vertical plane. It’s also located at about 1300 metres above sea level and is believed to be one of the largest in the subcontinent.
Jogimara Caves, Chattisgarh
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This ancient structure is nestled in the Ramgarh hills in Puta village, Chhattisgarh and hosts a set of rock paintings of humans, animals, birds, and flowers that are believed to date back to 300 BC. The structure itself is believed to be over 2,300 years old. Legend has it that the caves acted as a dressing room for actresses of SitaBengra, an ancient theatre. To get here, explorers need to cave through a 55-metre long natural tunnel known as Hatipal.
Elephanta Island Caves, Maharashtra
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This UNESCO world heritage structure is located on Elephanta Island, two hillocks separated by a narrow valley. The caves were believed to have been built in the mid-fifth to sixth century AD and the main cave features three open sides and a back aisle, supported by rows of six columns. The main temple here, meanwhile, is a long hall and the walls and ceilings feature rows of columns and cross beams with sculptured panels featuring images from Indian mythology. The most popular of these is a 20-foot high creation that depicts the deity Shiva.
Barabar, Bihar
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Located 24 kilometres from Gaya, these caves are believed to hold the remains of the former Ajivika sect, who followed their own distinct school of Indian philosophy. Seven rock-cut caves dating back to the third century BC are perched atop the hills of Barabar and Nagaruni, each carved out of granite with two chambers along a highly-polished surface. The caves are sans embellishments. However, the caves are hailed for being the first to display inscriptions that date back to the Mauryan period.
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Written By
Eshita Srinivas
Eshita is a food, alcohol, travel, and entertainment writer who spends her days zeroing in on the next big trend to write about. She’s a communication graduate with bylines in Conde Nast Traveller India, GQ India, Deccan Herald, and Girls Buzz. When not at work, you’re likely to find her hunting for a good read or charting out the perfect itinerary ..Read More
