Ajanta and Ellora Caves in India

Location : Aurangabad in Maharashtra India
Visiting Time : 9am to 5.30 p.m. The Ajanta caves are closed on Mondays, and the Ellora caves are closed on Tuesdays
How to reach : Nearest Railway Station to Ajanta Caves - Jalgaon, Nearest Railway Station to Ellora Caves - Aurangabad
Ellora Ajanta Festival : : Vanue - Soneri Mahal (Golden Palace

Built by Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monks, the famous Ajanta and Ellora caves in Maharashtra aren't natural but man made caves cut out of rock, by hand, and graded amongst the outstanding illustrations of the ancient Indian architectural heritage. They are a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must visit for the tourists coming on the cultural and heritage tour to India.

Nestled amidst the Sahyadari hills in the shape of the gigantic horseshoe, portraying the life of Lord Buddha from 200 BC to 650 AD, these caves are truly an architectural wonder and an stupendous piece of artistry. During the rule of the Vakataka dynasty between 460 and 478 AD, 30 different monastic caves and prayer halls were built and it during this time when Buddhism flourished. At that time monks used to live and meditate in these caves.

The 29 caves at Ajanta and 34 caves at Ellora, remained hidden from the outside world for 13 centuries, till John Smith, a British cavalry officer rediscovered them in 1819; while hunting boar at place now called as Captain's point.

One of the greatest attraction here is painting at the natural gallery of the caves that accommodates India's most basely ancient paintings, but sadly, after 1,500 years later, they are slowly losing their charm to age, climate and hundred of daily visitors.

Near to the Ajanta caves are the 30 add caves of Ellora including the Mahayana Buddhist, Hindu and Jain works. Along with the Buddhist caves, there are 16 Hindu caves and five Jain caves here. However, the most popular here is the cave 16, known as the Kailash Temple or Kailashnath. Kailash is also considered as the mountain home of the Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It took 150 years to build this monolith and three million cubic meters of rock was uprooted.

If you are coming on the Ajanta and Ellora tour to India, you are required to stay in Aurangabad for atleast 3 nights. Ajanta requires more than a day excursion while Ellora can be completed in one day.