Aurangabad has its own group of caves 2 km north of the Bibi-ka-Maqbara. The ten Buddhist caves were carved out of the hillside around the 6th or 7th century. Caves 1 to 5 are in the western group and the remaining caves, 1 km away, are in the eastern group.
Western Group
The caves are viharas (abodes), except the fourth one. The fourth, which is the oldest cave, at Aurangabad, is a Hinayana chaitya with a ribbed roof and is fronted by a pillar. Cave 3 is square and is supported by 12 ornate columns.
Eastern Group
The sculptures of women at Cave 6 are notable for their exotic hairstyles and ornamentation. The most interesting of the Aurangabad caves is Cave 7 because of its sculptures. There is a huge Bodhisattva to the left of cave 7. Prayers are held to free from the eight dangers such as fire, the sword of the enemy, chains, shipwreck, lions, snakes, mad elephants, and a demon (representing death).
