Best Places To Visit In Ajanta And Ellora Caves
Ajanta is a World Heritage Site in Aurangabad, India. It contains some of the most important Buddhist monuments in the world, including cave temples decorated with frescoes and statues dating from the 2nd century BCE to around 650 CE. Ellora is another World Heritage Site that has been declared by UNESCO as a site of “outstanding universal value”. Ellora is an ancient Indian rock-cut temple complex which represents the epitome of Indian art.
Ajanta and Ellora caves are two of the most important Buddhist monuments in India. Tourists come to visit these amazing sites every day to admire the architecture, art, and sculptures.
The Ajanta Caves are located in the eastern Indian state of Maharashtra. They were carved out of a 500 ft tall cliff face. On the other hand, The Ellora Caves are located in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. There are many similarities between Ajanta and Ellora but they also have their differences too.
History of Ajanta
The Ajanta Caves were hewn from a steep escarpment in the 2nd century BC. The Ellora Caves are a 30-km long stretch of 34 monasteries and temples, cut from the rock face in the 6th to 9th centuries AD. The Ajanta Caves were a part of a Buddhist monastery from the 3rd century BCE. The Ellora Caves have been around for more than a thousand years, and they are filled with elaborate carvings depicting the Hindu god Shiva. The Ajanta Caves are a group of 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date back to between the 2nd century BC and 6th century AD. These caves were initially carved out as places of worship and contemplation by Buddhist monks. They were hidden from view for centuries until they were “rediscovered” in 1819 by a British officer on duty with the East India Company, on his honeymoon trip to India.
Ellora Caves Architecture
The Ellora Caves are a set of 34 Buddhist, Hindu and Jain rock-cut monasteries and temples located near Aurangabad in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The caves are considered an example of religious harmony as they were constructed by various faiths including Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain. Ellora Caves is a Hindu cave temple site located east of the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra, India. It ranks among the most notable rock-cut architectural sites in India and one of the best examples of Indian rock-cut architecture. The Ellora caves consist of 34 caves, carved out of the vertical face of the Charanandri hills.
Ajanta Cave Sculptures
The Ajanta Caves are a site of Buddhist sacred art. The caves were carved between the 2nd century BC and 6th century AD. They contain some of the finest examples of Indian painting, sculpture, and architectural genius. The caves also house many intricate sculptures depicting scenes from Buddhist tradition. The Ajanta caves are an important Buddhist site. These caves were created by monks during the late 6th century. The walls are covered in frescoes, paintings, and sculptures that depict Buddha’s life, death, and rebirth.
Best Places to Visit in Ajanta
Ajanta, also known as Ajanta Caves, is a Buddhist cave temple and monastery complex in India. The Group of Monuments at Ajanta are a collection of 29 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments dating from the 2nd century BC to about 480 AD. It’s possible that at some point it was used by Hindu ascetics and Jain monks. Ellora Caves is a set of 34 Hindu and Buddhist rock-cut monuments and shrines, carved into the side of a mountain in India. Ajanta and Ellora caves are situated in the Nashik district of Maharashtra. These caves were carved into the side of the mountain cliffs. The Ajanta Caves date back to 200 BC while the Ellora Caves date back to 600 AD. They are considered to be one of the most beautiful creations of Indian art and architecture.
Tourist Places To Visit In Ajanta
Ajanta Caves are Buddhist rock-cut caves located in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The Ajanta caves are situated at a distance of 29 kilometres from Aurangabad, Maharashtra. These caves date back to 200 BC and belongs to one of the most important landmarks in India.
The Ellora caves are also Buddhist rock-cut monasteries and temples and they were built between the 6th and 10th century AD. The complex consists of 34 monasteries and temples which can be divided into three groups: the eastern group, the western group and the later group. Elora is also one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India since 1983.
Conclusion
So, these are some of the places that you can visit in Ajanta and Ellora. There are plenty more to explore, but these are the must-visit places. undefined
The Ajanta and Ellora Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and also one of the major tourist destinations in India. Located in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, the caves were built during the reign of the Buddhist emperor Ashoka (269-233 BCE). They can be reached via conventional transport or taxi.
The Ajanta And Ellora Caves are two of the nation’s most astonishing caves. They are situated in Aurangabad district, Maharashtra. It was voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World by CNN International in 2007.
It is not very difficult to find places to visit in Ajanta And Ellora Caves. There are many tourist spots or places of interest for you to visit when you are in Ajanta And Ellora Caves. You can explore the caves Ajanta And Ellora, enjoy the nature and scenery around the city, or you can take a nice walk by the river banks.
Ajanta and Ellora are Buddhist caves located in Western India.
Visit some of the most remarkable places in India with the Ajanta and Ellora Caves. These world heritage sites are a must see for any tourist visiting India.
The Ajanta and Ellora Caves are a World Heritage Site, situated in the state of Maharashtra, India. The caves at Ajanta were cut into a horseshoe-shaped rock providing shelter from the rains for Buddhist monks between 200 BC and 600 AD. They include paintings of Buddha surrounded by other statues from Hindu mythology. The Ellora Caves are of a later date, carved out from 600 to 1000 AD and contain many more varied sculptures than those at Ajanta
Ajanta: The Art Gallery of Gods
Tucked within the Ajanta caves is an ancient art gallery with paintings and sculptures which are considered remarkable even by today’s standards.
The 30 caves in this horse-shoe shaped gorge were excavated over two surges of creative outpouring. The first phase of activity took place between 2 and 1 BC and the second between AD 5 and 6. Predominantly Buddhist, the caves fall into two broad categories: Chaitya Halls or Sanctuaries and Viharas or Monasteries.
Map of Ajanta:
What’s famous Here?
Excavated in two phases – between 2 and 1 BC and then again between AD 5 and 6 – the 30 caves were abandoned abruptly and mysteriously. Shrouded by a thick forest cover, they slipped into obscurity. That was till 1819, when a British army captain John Smith accidentally stumbled upon them while out hunting tigers.
A UN World Heritage Site in north central Maharashtra, Ajanta was a cradle of creative flowering that not only influenced the artistic expression and culture of the immediate region but also swept beyond the shores of India and across Asia.
Though much of the paintings within the caves are damaged, what remains is amazingly vivid in theme and color. They tell the story of the Buddha including those of his many avtaars or forms and portray the era in which he lived and preached his message.
Jataka Tales, based on the previous incarnation of the Enlightened One, are also told with amazing detail. Yes, if you look close enough at the murals you will even see ants foraging on the branches of trees.
Unlike its sister caves at Ellora (90 km away) which have three distinct religious influences – Buddhist, Hindu and Jain – all the 30 caves at Ajanta are of Buddhist heritage.
What to see:
Waterfalls
After exploring the caves, stroll down to the river that carved out the horseshoe-shaped gorge from which the caves are excavated.
At the far end there is a spectacular seven-level waterfalls that feeds the river.
View Point
A hike up the facing slopes brings you to View Point and a panoramic sweep of the caves within the gorge and the seven-level waterfalls. Interestingly enough, this is the place from where John Smith, the British army officer who rediscovered the caves, first saw them.
Alternatively, a sweeping 8-km detour off the highway to Aurangabad brings you to another View Point at a higher level.
Travel to Ajanta:
Local Languages: Marathi, Hindi and English.
Best Time To Visit: October to March… and the monsoon months (July – September) when the area is flush with greenery and the kiss of new life.
How to reach Ajanta:
AIR: The nearest airport is at Aurangabad (110 km). Several airline operators have flights carrying passengers in and out of Aurangabad airport
RAIL: The most convenient station is at Aurangabad (90 km). Aurangabad station is an important junction on the Central Railway-line. All passing trains stop here indicating that it is very well connected to rest of the country.
The station is located in the heart of the city, right next to the main bus terminal.
Nearest Station is at Jalgaon (60 km) but Aurangabad station is very well connected
ROAD: Distances from major cities in central Maharashtra
Jalgaon (60 km)
Aurangabad (90 km)
Ellora (90 km)
Nashik (240 km)
Mumbai (400 km)
It’s a good idea to hire a car and drive around to the various historic and cultural sites in and around Ajanta. In fact, it might be a good idea to use Aurangabad as a base to explore this region.
Excursions from Ajanta:
NOTE: Aurangabad is often used as a base to explore Ajanta, Ellora and the surrounding region.
Aurangabad: Once the heartbeat of the great Mughal Empire, today’s Aurangabad is both modern and ancient; a maze of streets in which the two worlds co-exist. The city’s beautiful marble mausoleum, the Bibi-ka-Maqbara often touted as a replica of the Taj Mahal, is undoubtedly a jewel in the crown of a city that has long experienced the confluence of different cultures – Buddhist, Hindu, Jain and Islamic.
Ellora: The Ellora Cave temples are an artistic sangam or confluence of the three great religions of India – Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.
The 34 cave temples were built between AD 5 and 11. However the crux of the collection is undoubtedly the Kailash temple, the world’s largest monolithic sculpture.
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple: One kilometer from Ellora, this is the site of one of the 12 Jyotirlingas (naturally formed lingas of Lord Shiva) in the country.
Daulatabad: The magnificent 12thhcentury fortified citadel rises dramatically above the horizon on the road to Ellora. A trek up to the summit of the fort is a pleasant outing but to appreciate the sheer brilliance of its defense system (an entire mountain face has been chiseled out), it should be undertaken with a guide.
Khuldabad: Just 3 km short of Ellora is the walled Sufi town in which rests the simple tomb of Aurangzeb, the last of the great Mughal emperors.
Pirion-Ka-Talao: Just off the road from Khuldabad is a small lake along whose banks stands the tomb of the Sufi saint Pir Ganj Ravan.
Paithan :South of Aurangabad! :The town of Paithan is famous for its beautiful Paithani saris, woven with gold and silver threads.
Bani Begum Gardens: The center of the gardens ornate with domes, fountains and fluted pillars is the tomb of Bani Begum, the consort of one of Aurangzeb’s sons.
Lesser Known Caves: A group of 13 Buddhist caves at Pitalkhora, excavated between 2 BC and 1 AD, are located some 75 km northwest of Aurangabad. In addition there are three other groups of lesser-known caves: Bhokardan (off the road to Ajanta), Ghatotkacha and Banoti (both west of Ajanta).
Gawtala Wildlife Sanctuary: North of Ellora is the a dense forest reserve that is home to leopards, bears, wolves, hyenas, jackals, flying squirrels and 85 species of feathered creatures.
Lonar Crater: To the south east of Ajanta, the crater is worth visiting even if means spending a night there. Formed some 50,000 years ago by a meteor which came hurtling down to earth, Lonar crater is the world’s largest impact crater in ballistic rock. Nestled in the heart of the thickly vegetated cone (1.8 km in diameter) is a shimmering blue lake whose banks are studded with ancient temples.
In fact, Ajanta is the apex of the triangle that includes Aurangabad (west) and Lonar (east) with Sindkhed Raja (see below) falling on the road between Aurangabad and Lonar
Sindkhed Raja: On the way to Lonar, is SINDKHED RAJA the birthplace of Rajmata Jijabai, mother of the great Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Attractions include forts, temples and monuments.
Hotels and Resorts in and around Aurangabad
Aside from the MTDC tourist lodge at Fardapur, 5 km from the caves, there is very little to recommend in terms of accommodation at Ajanta. However, Aurangabad which is often used as the base for the Ajanta and Ellora circuit, has much to choose from: from five star hotels to budget lodges.
Ajanta Travel Packages:
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Flights to Ajanta:
The nearest airport is at Aurangabad (110 km). Several airline operators have flights carrying passengers in and out of Aurangabad airport
Trains to Ajanta:
The most convenient station is at Aurangabad (90 km). Aurangabad station is an important junction on the Central Railway-line. All passing trains stop here indicating that it is very well connected to rest of the country.
The station is located in the heart of the city, right next to the main bus terminal.
Nearest Station is at Jalgaon (60 km) but Aurangabad station is very well connected
Buses to Ajanta:
State Transport (ST) and private buses ply regular services between Aurangabad and most major cities in Maharashtra as well as adjoining states. The main bus terminal is in the heart of the city, right next to the railway station.
Car Hire in Ajanta:
It’s a good idea to hire a car and drive around to the various historic and cultural sites in and around Ajanta. In fact, it might be a good idea to use Aurangabad as a base to explore this region.