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Ajanta Ellora Caves

Ajanta Ellora is an UNESCO heritage site in Maharashtra, India which consist 17 Hindu, 12 Buddhist and 5 Jain caves. its presents artwork of Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism. It is one of the largest monument and temple in the world.

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Explore Ajanta Ellora Caves through captivating images that showcase their rich culture, history, and charm.

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Where Ajanta Ellora Caves located

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How To Reach Ajanta Ellora Caves

By Air

The nearest airport is Aurangabad Airport, which is approximately 40 km away from Ajanta Ellora.

By Train

The nearest railway station is Aurangabad Railway Station, which is approximately 39 km away from Ajanta Ellora.

By Bus

Ajanta Ellora is well connected with nearby major cities like Aurangabad, Nashik and Malegaon by road.

Ajanta Ellora Caves, Verul, Maharashtra

  • Planning a short trip to Maharashtra?
  • Seeking some historical location for a photoshoot?
  • Does the ancient architecture lure you?

 

If your replies are in YES, then without a doubt plan a trip to visit the famed Ajanta Ellora caves. The twin caves are one of the prime attractions in the Aurangabad region of Maharashtra. They have outstanding cultural and historical significance and are visited by thousands of tourists every year. The Ajanta caves are much older than the Ellora caves and were carved between 2ndCentury BC and 6thcentury AD. They have a horseshoe-shaped gorge that runs along the Waghur River. The Ajanta paintings and tales that are depicted in the caves are some of the finest in Buddhist architecture. The Ellora caves are some of the most intricate and beautiful and have been names UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the diverse stories that they bring to life.

 

The paintings in these caves are very diverse and bring out excellent engineering and artistic skills to marvel at. The caves take you back in time and tell intimate stories of the royal time they are set in. The sculptures are intricate and the carvings and inscriptions on the rocks are based on the Hindu and Jain culture. The caves also hold monasteries and temples. The immense calm and contemplative caves have attracted tourists from all over the world for years.

 

How to reach the Ajanta Ellora Caves

 

If you wish to take the road route to the caves, then the Ajanta caves are about 100 Km from the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra. The Ellora caves are a further 30 km by road. You will easily get a local taxi and can also take the state buses which will take you to the Ajanta Ellora Caves. The caves are about 400 km from the capital city of Mumbai and the highway that connects Mumbai to Aurangabad is well-connected to other major Indian cities like Delhi, Udaipur, and Jaipur.

There is also a rail route to Aurangabad which is well-connected to Mumbai and Pune. The closest railway station to Ellora is the Jalgaon Station from where you can take the local transport and taxis. The nearest airport is Aurangabad airport.

The Timings of the Ajanta Caves are from 9 am to 5 pm. Please note that it is closed for tourists on Mondays. You can visit the caves all around the year.

 

About the Ajanta Caves – A UNESCO World Heritage Site

 

The Ajanta caves are a chain of 30 mesmerizing caves but if you want to understand the caves that are and out for a short trip, here we list them for you as per their historical importance and artistic excellence. You can pick these caves first and explore the rest if time allows:

 

  • Cave 1 – Do Visit this cave for its artistic beauty and cultural significance. It is the first cave on the eastern side and has a huge courtyard on the front. The façade of this cave is intricate and beautiful and cuts deep into the face of the rock. The cave paintings were commissioned by Emperor Harishena from the Vakataka rulers. The Jataka tales are depicted here and they talk about the previous births of Buddha. The key embellishments of these caves are the intricate carvings and the births of Buddha are depicted beautifully through them. They also have elaborate paintings of lions, bulls, elephants, and meditating monks.

 

What stands out here are the wealthy paintings with the highlight of Bodhisattvas Padmapani and Vajrapani in both sides of the entrance to the shrine that highlights the life of Buddha.

 

  • Cave 2 –Another mesmerizing cave with walls adorned with thick paintings and murals. This cave has breathtaking feminine murals and frescos that date back to the 5th century. The carvings of this cave are also outstanding and we’re done between 475 to 475 CE. These caves portray the women in society at the time of the earnings and show the feminine side of the era. The themes of the same are everything from vegetation, animals, and divinity. They also depict the Buddhist goddess of fertility, Hariti.

 

  • Cave 16–This grand cave has two huge elephant figures placed at the entrance and they signify it’s grandness. These caves are dedicated to the monk community of the era and these caves have influenced the architecture if the entire Ajanta Caves. These caves we’re crucial for historians to understand the chronology of the building of the caves in their second stage. The paintings and frescoes of these caves depict the Jataka tales and also recount various mythological events like the miracle of Sravasti and the legend of the Bodhisattva elephant that sacrificed itself to offer itself to hungry people. The caves architecture is Vihara and has the setup of the main door with two aisle doorways and windows to lighten the interiors. The paintings of these caves are breathtaking in terms of historical significance. They are the reason most people visit these caves. The scenes here depict the life of Buddha including the depiction of when Sujata offers food to Buddha carrying a begging bowl and wearing a white robe.

 

  • Cave 17 – This cave also has two elephants on the entrance and has some of the greatest paintings that depict the Viraha architecture. The cave has a brilliant assortment of paintings that are now almost synonymous with the Ajanta caves and are a must-see for whoever visits here. The frescos here are all bold and significant. They bring out the Jataka tales and show immense attention to detail. They have unique designs and the caves also have an antechamber in the heart of the caves. They have extensive divine earnings and many important murals. The portrayal of Buddha in many postures is the highlight of these caves. The cave is paramount in history and thus a very crucial part of the whole place.

 

Main attractions of the Ellora Caves

 

How to reach Ellora Caves - These caves are at a distance of 30 km from Aurangabad station and about 100 km from the Ajanta Caves. You can take a local taxi to reach the destination.

 

Here are some do the top attractions of the Ellora caves and places you must visit 

 

  • Kailasa Temple – located in Cave 16, this is the central attraction of the Ellora caves and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The rock-cut temple is paramount in architectural design. The temple that has been carved out of a single rock is considered to be one of the most spectacular attractions of these caves. The temple has many important depictions from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. It is open from 6 am to 6 pm on all days except Tuesdays.

 

  • RavanKaKhai – Located in Cave 14, this cave is called Ravana’s abode and is one of the most visited places in the caves. It has many Hindu excavations and also is a major attraction as it depicts Hindu scriptures. The caves depict many Hindu Gods and goddesses like Varaha, Vishnu, Lakshmi, and Gajalakshmi. It also has images of Mahisasuramardini and images of Nataraja, the depiction of Ravana shaking ten Kailasa Mountain and many other significant depictions 

 

  • IndraSabha – Located in Cave 32, this is one of the most visited sites in the Ellora caves. It is one of the finest Jain temples in India and also one of the largest in the region. This cave is a shrine to the Jain divinity Mahavira. It is aesthetic and arranges on two levels. The shrine is important for the Jain Tirthankars and is crowned by many 4 seated images. It is one of the most elegant and well-preserved sites in the region. The monolithic elephant is its highlight. 

 

  • Dashavatara Caves – These are one of the primary attractions in Cave 15. These caves belong to the period of the Rashtrakutas. They mainly depict the two main Hindu Gods Vishnu and Shiva, these caves are two levels of structure and has a huge courtyard. The cave was earlier a Buddhist monastery and was converted to a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the 8th century AD. Some Buddha scriptures can also be seen here. 

 

  • Dumar Lena – This is Cave 29 in the Ellora Caves and is a significant part of the caves, It lies by the side of the Sita Ki Nahani, a pool created by a waterfall in Elaganga River. These caves are influenced by the Elephanta Caves in Mumbai and are dated to 6th Century AD. These are some of the best-preserved caves and have an isolated shrine that has excavations that extend up to 300 feet. Two large lions and elephants guard the steps to these caves. 

 

  • Rameshwara Caves - These caves are also dedicated to Lord Shiva and here the deity is worshipped in the form of a Linga. The entrance of this shrine has sculptures of Goddess Ganga and Yamuna. It has elegant mandapa that is 16 feet high and it has representations of Nataraja, Kali, Saptamatrikas, and Kala. It also has representations of the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and Mahisasuramardini. The entrance to the caves is very elaborate and has the depictions of 2 dwarapals. This is a must-visit spot for all the followers of Lord Shiva.  

 

  • Dho Tal – This is located in Cave 11 and is dated to 1876 AD. This is a mainly Buddhist cave that has many shrines dedicated to Buddha and his attendants. The shrine has a huge depiction of Buddha and has him seen in a mighty pose. 

 

  • Tomb of Aurangzeb – You can also visit this tomb about 4 km from Ellora Caves. Aurangzeb was a Mughal Ruler who ruled in the 16th century. His coffin was brought here by his son as per his last wish. Hence his tomb has been built in this region. This is a remarkable structure that is marked by large mausoleums per Islam principles. This grave is guarded by marble screens and the tomb also contains remains of Aurangzeb’s son Azam Shah.

 

Places to Stay near Ajanta and Ellora Caves

 

The best time to visit the Ajanta Ellora caves is from June to March. This is the most pleasant time to visit this region. The monsoons (June to September) are average in the region and this also adds to the delight of the visit. The temperature in the region is pleasant from November to February as the temperature drops at this time. If you want a pleasant visit then you should avoid the summer months.

 

There are many different types of luxury and budget hotels near the Ajanta and Ellora caves. Some of the top hotels in the area are as below:

1. Ellora Heritage Resort – This is a fine and luxury resort with a restaurant and a fitness resort and many other features. It is a 3 Star resort and has an elaborate garden too.

2. The Meadows – This is a decent place with many features like an outdoor swimming pool, spa, and a wellness centre and a spa. They have many other features like free Wifi and other facilities.

3. Hotel Kailas – This is a good hotel located in Ellora Caves with many services like a bar, a garden, and a restaurant. The place has many other luxury facilities too 

4. Shivam Residency - This is nice accommodation with private parking and other luxury features at a budget price

5. Hotel Shivneri Lodge – A decent place with budget rooms and good facilities

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