The Ajanta Caves is in Maharashtra, India are 31 rock-cut cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE. The caves include paintings and sculptures considered to be masterpieces of both Buddhist religious art as well as frescos which are reminiscent of the Sigiriya paintings in Sri Lanka. The caves were built in two phases starting around 200 BCE, with the second group of caves built around 600 CE.
Since 1983, the Ajanta Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The caves are located in the Indian state of Maharashtra, near Jalgaon. Caves are only about 59 kilometers from Jalgaon Railway station (on Delhi - Mumbai, Rail line of the Central railways, India); and 104 kilometers from Aurangabad (From Ellora Caves 100 Kilometers).
Ajanta and Ellora caves are ranked amongst the most eminent specimens of ancient architecture. The Ajanta and Ellora caves were discovered by John Smith, a British Army Officer, in the coursework of a hunting expedition in 1819. The caves, set in the Sahyadri hills over the Waghora River, are an oeuvre of handwork and illustrate the chronicles of Buddhism spanning the period between 300 BC and 650 AD. These caves form an inevitable part of cultural tours of India.
Ajanta, with its 29 caves, has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The caves of Ajanta feature pretty paintings, frescoes, murals and recherché sculptures. Built using simple tools, these caves have a quantity of the well-preserved wall paintings including Boddhisattvas, Padmapani and Avalokiteshvara. The caves also accommodate a quantity of the elysian sculptures and simulacrums of Buddha�s discourse.
How to Reach Ajanta & Ellora Caves:
The 34 caves of Ellora are carved in to the sides of a basaltic hill, 30 km from Aurangabad. The frontispieces and the elegantly fashioned interiors of the caves exemplify a pretty fusion of art, culture and architecture. These magnificent structures depict the beliefs of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. The 17 caves in the centre are dedicated to Hinduism, 12 caves to the south are Buddhist shrines and the three caves to the north are dedicated to Jainism. The Kailasha temple in Cave 16 is an architectural marvel carved out of a monolith. It's the gateway, assembly hall, pavilion, sanctum and tower, all chiseled out of a single rock.
Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves are about 100 km and 30 km from Aurangabad respectively.
By Air:
Aurangabad has an airport with regular flights to cities like Delhi, Udaipur, Jaipur and Mumbai.
By Rail:
Aurangabad Railway is well connected by rail directly with major cities like Mumbai and Pune. Jalgaon Railway Station is on the central railway line � 59 km away from Ajanta.
By Road:
Aurangabad has regular bus services to major cities like Pune, Mumbai, Jalgaon, Ahmedabad, Indore, etc. Transport facilities from Aurangabad to Ellora and from Jalgaon to Ajanta are also available.
