Rameshvara Cave (Cave 21)
Cave 21 is one of the caves ASI names in its suggested 3–4 hour priority visit, and a useful stop for understanding Brahmanical rock-cut design.
Google Maps ↗ ASI source listing ↗
The map button opens a Google Maps search for this place; it is not a verified place listing or a surveyed entrance.
Independent guide · Page reviewed 9 November 2026 · ASI listing consulted 2026-10-29
Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) is one monument within the UNESCO-listed Ellora Caves. Prices, opening status and routes are dated listings to re-check, not live confirmations.
Columns, panels and excavation
The Brahmanical caves at Ellora use columned interiors and sculpted panels in ways quite different from the open courtyard of Cave 16. Comparing the two makes the ambition of the monolithic temple easier to judge.
UNESCO places the Brahmanical group, Caves 13–29, broadly in the 7th–10th centuries. A group-wide range is not a precise date for any single cave.
In a short itinerary
ASI suggests a 3–4 hour visit can prioritise Caves 10, 16, 21, 32 and 34. If time is limited, keep Cave 16 as the main stop and add Cave 21 only if it is open and within your walking capacity.
ASI describes the scarp as nearly 2 km long, so internal distances are part of the decision.
Reviewed 9 November 2026. Confirm current access and any conservation closures with ASI.
Admission and conduct
Access follows the ASI-listed Ellora Caves admission and the sunrise-to-sunset window with a weekly Tuesday closure. Avoid touching carved surfaces, respect religious imagery and stay out of closed areas.
Practical facts
| Type | Brahmanical rock-cut cave, Ellora Cave 21 |
|---|---|
| ASI reference | Named among Caves 10, 16, 21, 32, 34 for a 3–4 hour visit |
| Part of | Ellora Caves, UNESCO World Heritage property inscribed 1983 |
| Admission | ASI-listed Ellora Caves entry; confirm current access |
Only fields supported by ASI or UNESCO material, or explicitly marked for confirmation, are shown here. No rating, fee or opening hour is claimed as verified.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Cave 21 often recommended?
ASI includes it in a suggested priority selection for a 3–4 hour visit to the property.
Is it close to Cave 16?
It is in the same property, but this guide does not publish a measured walking distance. ASI describes the scarp as nearly 2 km long.
Does it need a separate ticket?
The ASI listing describes admission for the Ellora Caves property. Confirm current arrangements with ASI.
Sources and review limits
Page reviewed 9 November 2026. The ASI Ellora Caves page was consulted 2026-10-29; that review is not an on-site inspection, and no clear page-update date was visible on the ASI listing. A Google Maps snapshot or a UNESCO property coordinate is not a verified entrance, ticket counter or accessibility survey.
- Archaeological Survey of India: Ellora Caves — identity, historical attribution, listed opening hours and admission categories.
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Ellora Caves — the 1983 inscription, the ensemble and its artistic significance.
- ASI official ticket service — check the actual visit date, eligibility and current charge.
- Google Maps: Kailasa Temple — dated manual snapshot, not site-collected reviews.
No business name, price, timetable, distance, star rating or review score is published here without verification. Temporary closures, conservation work and special orders may override any general listing.