What is the secret material that preserved Ellora caves for 1500 years?

Ellora Caves reveal a surprising use of cannabis-based materials that kept the structures intact for centuries

The Ellora Caves have long fascinated visitors with their durability and intricate rock-cut architecture

Ellora Caves: Ancient plaster technique behind 1,500 years of preservation

Updated on:

05 May 2026, 1:25 pm

2 min read

For many years, visitors have been amazed at the ability of the Ellora Caves to endure. The site is one of the many UNESCO World Heritage sites located near Aurangabad. What has made these caves endure for over 1,500 years? Recent scientific investigations into the caves have shown that the material used to make them durable was quite unique.

Ellora Caves study uncovers hemp’s role in construction

There have been certain scientists who undertook this research in order to find out the reason for which the Ellora Caves are in such an excellent state. Using sophisticated methods such as electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy, they examined samples of the plaster taken from the caves, while comparing them to the samples of cannabis obtained from Jalna and Delhi.

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From the results of the study, it can be concluded that about 10% of the plaster compound used in the Ellora Caves is made up of cannabis sativa. Such a composition acts as an effective deterrent against any insect movement, especially since it has been witnessed at the Ajanta site as well.

Hemp was also appreciated by researchers because of its physical benefits. Its sticky and glue properties make it effective at combining with clay and lime, which leads to construction that is sturdy and long-lasting. Thanks to these features, structures made from this material in the Ellora Caves have lasted hundreds of years without deteriorating. Another benefit of hemp is that it keeps warmth, repels fire, and blocks as much as 90% of sounds.

Kailash Temple in Ellora India 1200 years old largest monolithic structure carved from a single stone built by the Rashtrakutas between the 5th and 8th centuries AD pic.twitter.com/BR4i4nEx25
— Frontier Horizons (@AHawkfire) May 3, 2026

However, despite all these advantages, the use of hemp in modern-day construction faces some legal issues in India, as cannabis is under the purview of the NDPS Act of 1985. Although cannabis is illegal owing to its high level of THC, hemp with low levels of THC up to 0.3% is allowed for certain purposes.

Worldwide, hemp products for building have been increasingly used, such as hempcrete, particularly in England. Hemp is environmentally friendly, fast-growing compared to wood, and absorbs CO2 very rapidly. The discoveries at the Ellora Caves provide archaeological proof of the viability of using hemp for building sustainably.

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