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Top 10 Heritage Caves Temples of India - Religious Significance

India is a land where temples have been built since ages in reverence of different deities. These temples are not only admired for their religious significance but also for their intricate architecture, aesthetic designs , creative approach and most importantly the method of building. Each temple & shrine have their own unique aspect. Scroll down and take a look at some prominent cave temples in India.

Amarnath Cave Temple 

Amarnath Cave
Cave Temple of Lord Amarnath
Located in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, Amarnath is a globally renowned cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Between May to August, the Amarnath Yatra draws millions of pilgrims owing to the ice stalagmite that resembles shivalinga.

Trikkur Mahadeva Temple

Trikkur Mahadeva
Trikkur Mahadeva Temple
One of the famous cave temples in Kerala, located near Manali river, Thrikkur Mahadev Temple houses a 6ft natural stone lingam, a form of Lord Shiva. Other deities inside the temple include Lord Ganesh, Ayyappa, Lord Muruga and Parvati.

Elephanta Cave Temple 

Elephanta Cave
Elephanta Cave Temple
Nestled on the Elephanta island, in the state of Maharashtra, Elephanta Cave Temple is a fine specimen of Indian architecture, with its intricate carvings & sculpted art. Emblazoned as UNESCO World Heritage Site, these caves are divided into two groups- five Hindu temples and 2 Buddhist temples.

Patal Bhuvaneshwar 

Patal Bhuvaneshwar,Uttarakhand
Patal Bhuvaneshwar,Uttarakhand
A limestone cave temple in the Bhuvaneshwar village of Uttarakhand, Patal  Bhuvaneshwar is believed to be the home of 33 crore gods & goddesses.

Aurangabad Cave Temple 

Aurangabad Cave
Aurangabad Cave Temple
Situated atop of a hill in Aurangabad, Aurangabad Cave Temple is a cluster of 12 artificial rock-cut Buddhist temples, segregated into a group of 3.

Lenyandri Cave Temple 

Lenyandri Cave
Lenyandri Cave Temple
A series of 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves, Lenyandri Cave Temple, located in Pune, is quite famous for Cave 7 housed with an ‘old Ganesha shrine’. In order to reach there, one has to climb 207 stairs.

Pataleshwar Cave Temple 

Pataleshwar Cave, Temple
Pataleshwar Cave Temple
Located in Pune, the Pataleshwar Cave Temple, built during the 8th century, is carved entirely out of a single stone block and bears resemblance to the rock-cut caves of Ellora.

Ellora Caves 

Ellora Caves
Sculptures of Buddhas in a Buddhist cave at Ellora

Built somewhere between 600 AD and 900 AD, Ellora Caves, a group of 29 rock-cut caves, stands as a testimony to the religious harmony between Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

Jogeshwari Cave Temple 

Jogeshwari Cave
Jogeshwari Cave Temple
Named after the goddess Jogeshwari, Jogeshwari Cave Temple boasts of some old temples dedicated to the Hindus and Buddhists. It is believed to be the largest & earliest prominent temples in the country.

Ajanta Cave Temple

Ajanta Cave
Ajanta Cave Temple
Located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, Ajanta Cave Temple boasts of 30 rock-cut cave monuments featuring paintings & sculptures of Buddhist religious art.