This is a list of caves and rock-cut structures in the territory of India which contain paintings from ancient and medieval times. Sites are listed in alphabetic order.
- Ajanta Caves
One of the highest achievements of ancient people worldwide is Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra) - 29 rock-cut temples made in 2nd century BC - 480 AD.
Colourful, diverse murals here serve as integral, extremely valuable addition to beautiful architecture and countless sculptures. Here are the oldest known Indian paintings of historical time - from 2nd century BC. Paintings are in Caves 1, 2, 6, 7, 9, 10 (oldest paintings from 2nd century BC), 16, 17 (some of the best cave paintings in India), 19, 20, 26, 27.
- Armamalai Cave
The beautiful paintings in Armamalai Cave (Tamil Nadu) became known fairly recently - in late 1960ies - early 1970ies. This natural cave was turned into Jain temple in 8th century AD. Earlier here were more paintings. Up to this day have survived beautiful depictions of Jain religious stories.
- Badami Cave Temples
The pride of Badami (Karnataka) - the ancient capital of early Chalukya dynasty - is four beautiful cave temples from late 6th - early 7th century.
The ceiling of the most beautiful - Cave 3 still is adorned with beautiful ancient mural showing four-armed Brahma on his swan.
- Bagh Caves
Some of the most outstanding early Indian cave paintings - and possibly some of the best paintings from this period worldwide - are in Bagh Cave (Madhya Pradesh), caves 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7.
These vivid, lively paintings were made sometime in late 4th - 6th century AD. Some art historicians consider that artistic qualities of these paintings surpass the art of Ajanta, Ellora, Sittanavasal (see all in this list). Paintings are made in tempera technique and depict Buddhist religious themes.
- Bhaja Caves
The beautiful Bagh Caves (Maharashtra) also contain ancient paintings. Cave 12 - the large shrine - contains paintings of Buddha, which are made after 4th century AD.
- Bhimbetka Rock Shelters
The main value of Bhimbetka rock shelters (Madhya Pradesh) most certainly are not medieval and ancient paintings. More than 500 caves contain a lot more ancient artwork here - up to 15,000 years old paintings and even more than 290,000 years old petroglyphs.
Site though contains paintings from historical times up to 14th century AD. Most paintings of this time show hunting scenes, Buddhist monks have added some drawings of deities as well. Ironically here medieval art is of lower quality than the prehistoric art.
- Elephanta Caves
Elephanta Caves (Maharashtra) were built somewhere in 5th - 8th century AD. These incredibly impressive and beautiful chambers once were covered with plaster and painted in bright colors. Nowadays only traces of this painted plaster remain.
- Ellora Caves
Ellora Caves (Maharashtra) belong to the highest achievements of mankind both regarding the engineering skills and arts.
Already the oldest group of caves - Buddhist temples from 630 - 700 AD - contain paintings of Buddhist panteon. Remnants of paintings are seen in the most beautiful temple - Cave 16, Kailasanatha, circa 760 - 860 AD. Some Jain temples - Cave 32 (Indra Sabha), Cave 33 - contain remnants of valuable murals from 800 - 1000 AD - this artwork marks the end of ancient period in the Indian art and beginning of medieval art.
- Jogimara Cave
Unique monument of history is the ancient theatre with Jogimara and Sita Bengra Caves (Chhattisgarh). Jogimara Cave - possible dressing room - contains one the oldest known interior designs in the world made in 1st century BC. The walls here are covered with paintings of non-religious nature showing dancing humans, animals.
- Kanheri Caves
Some chambers in the enormous complex of Kanheri Caves (Maharashtra) at the outskirts of Mumbai contain paintings. For example, Cave 34 contains painted images of Buddha made before 10th century AD.
- Karsamble Caves
Karsamble Caves (Maharashtra) are somewhat less known Buddhist rock-cut temples, hewn in the rock circa 2 century BC. Here are 37 caves. One of them contains remnants of plaster with bands of red, white and blakc color.
- Kuda Caves
Comparatively little known, 26 rock-cut Buddhist temples. Several chambers contain remnants of plaster with traces of paintings from 6 - 7th century AD.
- Lenyadri Caves, Junnar
Several out of 40 Lenyadri Caves (Maharashtra) - ancient Buddhist temples from 1st - 3rd c. AD - contain (or at least recently contained) traces of paintings. Cave 7 was converted into Hindu temple and was adorned with recent paintings, possibly even from 19th century. Caves 10, 11, 12, 13, 17 though contain traces of ancient Buddhist paintings - for most part simple ornamental adornment.
- Malayadipatti Cave
The cliff walls and ceiling in one of the two rock-cut Hindu temples in Malayadipatti (Tamil Nadu) - Olipathivishnu Vishnugraham (8 - 9 c. AD) - are covered with paintings. These paintings though seem to be fairly new - from 16th - 17th century.
- Manmod Caves, Junnar
Manmod Caves (Maharashtra) is a large (45 caves) group of ancient Buddhist and Jain temples cut in rocks mainly in 1st - 3rd century AD. Remnants of paintings - simple ornaments performed in bad quality - are in cave II, possibly from 10th - 11th centuries.
- Pitalkhora Caves
Some 2000 years ago Pitalkhora Caves (Maharashtra) were among the largest temple complexes in India. These 11 - 14 rock-cut chambers were created in 250 BC - 4th century AD. In 4th century AD temples were adorned with beautiful murals, especially fine paintings have been preserved on columns of Cave 3. Traces of murals are in Cave 6 as well.
- Ravana Phadi, Aihole
Aihole (Karnataka), the ancient capital of Chalukya dynasty, contains beautiful rock-cut Hindu temple from circa 550 AD - Ravana Phadi.
Originally the temple was lavishly adorned with paintings but now only fragments of plaster with coloring remain on the ceiling.
- Ravan Chhaya, Sitabinji
Triangular cleft between two giant boulders near Sitabinj contains unique tempera painting from 7th century. This beautiful drawing seems to be not related to religion and shows royal procession.
- Saspol Caves
Amazing rock-cut Buddhist temples from 13th - 15th century AD, located in Jammu and Kashmir. Four caves are lavishly adorned with bright colored paintings of Buddhist panteon.
- Shivneri Caves, Junnar
Shivneri Caves (Maharashtra) are 50 rock-cut Buddhist temples, made in 1st - 3rd century AD. Some of them - No. 26, 28, 29, 32, 36, 38, 42, 43 - contain remnants of ancient paintings - simple ornaments. Wooden beam in Cave 44 contains exquisite Maratha paintings from 17th century.
- Sittanavasal Cave
Some of the most beautiful ancient Indian cave paintings are located in Sittanavasal Cave (Tamil Nadu) - Arivar-Koil. This rock-cut Jain temple was made circa 7th - 9th c. AD. Earlier whole cave was covered with beautiful paintings - now they have been preserved only on the ceiling. Artistic quality, composition and technique of this artwork surpasses most of similar paintings elsewhere.
- Tabo Caves
A group of simple, ancient rock-cut dwellings for Buddhist monks of nearby Tabo monastery (Himachal Pradesh). There is controversial information about dim traces of ancient paintings - but most likely there are no paintings present.
- Thanale Caves
Thanale Caves (Maharashtra) are comparatively little known Buddhist rock-cut temples. These 28 chambers were made circa 1st - 3rd century AD. Cave 13 contains remnants of paintings from 5th century AD.
- Thirunadhikkara Cave Temple
This rock-cut structure initially - in 7th century AD - was created as a Jain shrine. In 9 - 10th century AD it became a Hindu shrine and was adorned with paintings depicting scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata.
- Murugan Temple, Thiruparankundram
Murugan Temple in Thiruparankundram most likely was cut in rock in 8th century AD and contains visibly ancient painting of Nataraja - dancing Shiva.
- Tulja Lena, Junnar
This group of 11 man-made chambers - Buddhist temples - was hewn in rock in 1st - 3rd century AD. Columns and ceiling in the unusual round shrine in Cave 2 contain traces of once beautiful paintings.
- Udayagiri Caves
Udayagiri Caves were created as Jain temples circa 1st century BC, later turned into Hindu shrines. Small shelter next to Cave 6 - Panasa Gumpha - contains simple ochre paintings.
- Undavalli Caves
The largest Undavalli cave temple (Andhra Pradesh) is unique four-floor structure.
The first floor contains frescoes made in 7th - 8th century AD, part of paintings is made also somewhat later. Paintings illustrate Hindu mythological stories.
- Ajanta Caves
One of the highest achievements of ancient people worldwide is Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra) - 29 rock-cut temples made in 2nd century BC - 480 AD.
Colourful, diverse murals here serve as integral, extremely valuable addition to beautiful architecture and countless sculptures. Here are the oldest known Indian paintings of historical time - from 2nd century BC. Paintings are in Caves 1, 2, 6, 7, 9, 10 (oldest paintings from 2nd century BC), 16, 17 (some of the best cave paintings in India), 19, 20, 26, 27.
- Armamalai Cave
The beautiful paintings in Armamalai Cave (Tamil Nadu) became known fairly recently - in late 1960ies - early 1970ies. This natural cave was turned into Jain temple in 8th century AD. Earlier here were more paintings. Up to this day have survived beautiful depictions of Jain religious stories.
- Badami Cave Temples
The pride of Badami (Karnataka) - the ancient capital of early Chalukya dynasty - is four beautiful cave temples from late 6th - early 7th century.
The ceiling of the most beautiful - Cave 3 still is adorned with beautiful ancient mural showing four-armed Brahma on his swan.
- Bagh Caves
Some of the most outstanding early Indian cave paintings - and possibly some of the best paintings from this period worldwide - are in Bagh Cave (Madhya Pradesh), caves 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7.
These vivid, lively paintings were made sometime in late 4th - 6th century AD. Some art historicians consider that artistic qualities of these paintings surpass the art of Ajanta, Ellora, Sittanavasal (see all in this list). Paintings are made in tempera technique and depict Buddhist religious themes.
- Bhaja Caves
The beautiful Bagh Caves (Maharashtra) also contain ancient paintings. Cave 12 - the large shrine - contains paintings of Buddha, which are made after 4th century AD.
- Bhimbetka Rock Shelters
The main value of Bhimbetka rock shelters (Madhya Pradesh) most certainly are not medieval and ancient paintings. More than 500 caves contain a lot more ancient artwork here - up to 15,000 years old paintings and even more than 290,000 years old petroglyphs.
Site though contains paintings from historical times up to 14th century AD. Most paintings of this time show hunting scenes, Buddhist monks have added some drawings of deities as well. Ironically here medieval art is of lower quality than the prehistoric art.
- Elephanta Caves
Elephanta Caves (Maharashtra) were built somewhere in 5th - 8th century AD. These incredibly impressive and beautiful chambers once were covered with plaster and painted in bright colors. Nowadays only traces of this painted plaster remain.
- Ellora Caves
Ellora Caves (Maharashtra) belong to the highest achievements of mankind both regarding the engineering skills and arts.
Already the oldest group of caves - Buddhist temples from 630 - 700 AD - contain paintings of Buddhist panteon. Remnants of paintings are seen in the most beautiful temple - Cave 16, Kailasanatha, circa 760 - 860 AD. Some Jain temples - Cave 32 (Indra Sabha), Cave 33 - contain remnants of valuable murals from 800 - 1000 AD - this artwork marks the end of ancient period in the Indian art and beginning of medieval art.
- Jogimara Cave
Unique monument of history is the ancient theatre with Jogimara and Sita Bengra Caves (Chhattisgarh). Jogimara Cave - possible dressing room - contains one the oldest known interior designs in the world made in 1st century BC. The walls here are covered with paintings of non-religious nature showing dancing humans, animals.
- Kanheri Caves
Some chambers in the enormous complex of Kanheri Caves (Maharashtra) at the outskirts of Mumbai contain paintings. For example, Cave 34 contains painted images of Buddha made before 10th century AD.
- Karsamble Caves
Karsamble Caves (Maharashtra) are somewhat less known Buddhist rock-cut temples, hewn in the rock circa 2 century BC. Here are 37 caves. One of them contains remnants of plaster with bands of red, white and blakc color.
- Kuda Caves
Comparatively little known, 26 rock-cut Buddhist temples. Several chambers contain remnants of plaster with traces of paintings from 6 - 7th century AD.
- Lenyadri Caves, Junnar
Several out of 40 Lenyadri Caves (Maharashtra) - ancient Buddhist temples from 1st - 3rd c. AD - contain (or at least recently contained) traces of paintings. Cave 7 was converted into Hindu temple and was adorned with recent paintings, possibly even from 19th century. Caves 10, 11, 12, 13, 17 though contain traces of ancient Buddhist paintings - for most part simple ornamental adornment.
- Malayadipatti Cave
The cliff walls and ceiling in one of the two rock-cut Hindu temples in Malayadipatti (Tamil Nadu) - Olipathivishnu Vishnugraham (8 - 9 c. AD) - are covered with paintings. These paintings though seem to be fairly new - from 16th - 17th century.
- Manmod Caves, Junnar
Manmod Caves (Maharashtra) is a large (45 caves) group of ancient Buddhist and Jain temples cut in rocks mainly in 1st - 3rd century AD. Remnants of paintings - simple ornaments performed in bad quality - are in cave II, possibly from 10th - 11th centuries.
- Pitalkhora Caves
Some 2000 years ago Pitalkhora Caves (Maharashtra) were among the largest temple complexes in India. These 11 - 14 rock-cut chambers were created in 250 BC - 4th century AD. In 4th century AD temples were adorned with beautiful murals, especially fine paintings have been preserved on columns of Cave 3. Traces of murals are in Cave 6 as well.
- Ravana Phadi, Aihole
Aihole (Karnataka), the ancient capital of Chalukya dynasty, contains beautiful rock-cut Hindu temple from circa 550 AD - Ravana Phadi.
Originally the temple was lavishly adorned with paintings but now only fragments of plaster with coloring remain on the ceiling.
- Ravan Chhaya, Sitabinji
Triangular cleft between two giant boulders near Sitabinj contains unique tempera painting from 7th century. This beautiful drawing seems to be not related to religion and shows royal procession.
- Saspol Caves
Amazing rock-cut Buddhist temples from 13th - 15th century AD, located in Jammu and Kashmir. Four caves are lavishly adorned with bright colored paintings of Buddhist panteon.
- Shivneri Caves, Junnar
Shivneri Caves (Maharashtra) are 50 rock-cut Buddhist temples, made in 1st - 3rd century AD. Some of them - No. 26, 28, 29, 32, 36, 38, 42, 43 - contain remnants of ancient paintings - simple ornaments. Wooden beam in Cave 44 contains exquisite Maratha paintings from 17th century.
- Sittanavasal Cave
Some of the most beautiful ancient Indian cave paintings are located in Sittanavasal Cave (Tamil Nadu) - Arivar-Koil. This rock-cut Jain temple was made circa 7th - 9th c. AD. Earlier whole cave was covered with beautiful paintings - now they have been preserved only on the ceiling. Artistic quality, composition and technique of this artwork surpasses most of similar paintings elsewhere.
- Tabo Caves
A group of simple, ancient rock-cut dwellings for Buddhist monks of nearby Tabo monastery (Himachal Pradesh). There is controversial information about dim traces of ancient paintings - but most likely there are no paintings present.
- Thanale Caves
Thanale Caves (Maharashtra) are comparatively little known Buddhist rock-cut temples. These 28 chambers were made circa 1st - 3rd century AD. Cave 13 contains remnants of paintings from 5th century AD.
- Thirunadhikkara Cave Temple
This rock-cut structure initially - in 7th century AD - was created as a Jain shrine. In 9 - 10th century AD it became a Hindu shrine and was adorned with paintings depicting scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata.
- Murugan Temple, Thiruparankundram
Murugan Temple in Thiruparankundram most likely was cut in rock in 8th century AD and contains visibly ancient painting of Nataraja - dancing Shiva.
- Tulja Lena, Junnar
This group of 11 man-made chambers - Buddhist temples - was hewn in rock in 1st - 3rd century AD. Columns and ceiling in the unusual round shrine in Cave 2 contain traces of once beautiful paintings.
- Udayagiri Caves
Udayagiri Caves were created as Jain temples circa 1st century BC, later turned into Hindu shrines. Small shelter next to Cave 6 - Panasa Gumpha - contains simple ochre paintings.
- Undavalli Caves
The largest Undavalli cave temple (Andhra Pradesh) is unique four-floor structure.
The first floor contains frescoes made in 7th - 8th century AD, part of paintings is made also somewhat later. Paintings illustrate Hindu mythological stories.
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