Ellora Caves
The Jain caves at the northern end of the Ellora complex — particularly the Indra Sabha (Cave 32) and Jagannath Sabha (Cave 33) — are among the finest examples of Jain art anywhere in India, yet they receive far fewer visitors than the more famous Hindu section. The Indra Sabha's two-storey excavation is breathtaking: richly painted ceilings, lotus medallions, and extraordinarily detailed reliefs of the Tirthankaras carved with a delicacy that rivals anything at Ajanta. A photographer's paradise.
The Jain caves close for an extended lunch break — visit them immediately after buying your ticket in the morning rather than saving them for the afternoon.