In Pics: Explore these off-beat ancient caves in India

Elephanta Caves is a cave shrine in Mumbai that is primarily devoted to the Hindu god Shiva. It is believed that this cave dates to the mid- to late-first century AD

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Badami Caves, which are in Karnataka's Bagalkot District. These caves, the oldest of which dates to the sixth century, are among the most significant examples of Indian rock-cut architecture, particularly Badami Chalukya architecture

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Aurangabad's Ellora Caves is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is regarded as one of the world's earliest Hindu temple caves. These caves are believed to created between 600 and 1000 CE

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Mawsmai Caves in Meghalaya are made of limestone and feature white tick eyes and raised hands

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The Bhimbetka Caves in Madhya Pradesh contain the oldest evidence of human life in India. It is believed that this cave has existed since the Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods

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Belum Caves, in Andhra Pradesh is the second-largest cave system in India which similarly have extensive corridors, galleries, roomy chambers with fresh water, and syphons

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Ajanta Caves, Aurangabad are approximately 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments dating from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE

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Borra Caves in Andhra Pradesh is home to million-year-old stalactite and stalagmite formations

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