There are Hindu Ellora Caves 22 to 28 in Maharashtra. These caves stand to the north of Kailasa Temple and are part of Ellora Caves tour packages. Ellora Caves 22 to 28 showcase remarkable Hindu rock-cut architecture, featuring intricate carvings of deities like Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma. These caves reflect the artistic brilliance and spiritual significance of ancient Indian craftsmanship.
Cave 22
One more name for Cave 22 is Nilkantha. This is significant for the damaged Nandi shrine that stands alone and the different shrines for the Matrikas. There are four piers in front of it and two on each of the other three sides. Artists carved Ganesha, the three Devis, and a four-armed Vishnu into the walls of this hall. They also placed a well-polished linga on a plinth in the centre. Locals call it Nilkantha because they paint blue stripes on the linga.
Cave 23
Ellora's artisans created elaborate rock-cut architecture in Cave 23, beautifully carving its pillars and crafting detailed depictions of Hindu gods. The cave symbolizes the different manifestations of Lord Shiva and thus relates to the story of how Shaivism affected religion. The level of skill applied in the making of these works of art and the spirituality they express earn this cave complex an important place in the rich legacy of Ellora.
Cave 24
Ellora Cave 24, the "Teen Taal" cave, is one of the complex's largest and most ornate. Its multilevel architecture, finely carved pillars, and large halls showcase advanced rock-cut artistry. There are lots of sculptures of Lord Shiva, heavenly denizens, and mythological situations in the cave. The elaborateness of this handiwork found its way into spiritual commitment making it not just a legacy to Ellora but to the world as well.
Cave 25
The massive doorway, carved columns, and Hindu myth murals make Ellora Cave 25 renowned. While gods feature in the cave's Dravidian architecture, these hint that the cave flowed into this place for spiritual reasons. The cave's intricate sculptures portray Hindu religious writings, making it more spiritual and historical.
Cave 26
The front of Cave 26 has four columns with pilasters, and the back has two columns with pilasters. These have an Elephanta design to them. A church stands three or four feet above the floor on a shaped base at each end of the large hall. A woman carrying a chauri stands in front of each pilaster in the entryway. Outside the chamber is a big square platform with a linga on top of it.
Cave 27
Cave 27 is on the right side of a gorge that separates it from Cave 28. It is also famous as Milkmaid's Cave. It has images of Vishnu, Siva, Brahma, Mahishasuramardini, Varaha with Prithvi, and Vishnu as Sesha Sayana that are only half done, making it one of the places to visit in Ellora Caves.
Cave 28
The architecture in Ellora Cave 28 is one of a kind, and the paintings inside are very detailed and have Hindu religious themes. The carvings in the cave show guards and beings from heaven, stressing its holy purpose. The site's profound spiritual and cultural importance is shown by the artistic skill in its pillars and walls, which makes it an important part of the Ellora cave complex.