Ajanta Ellora Caves Tour

The heritage caves of India, Ajanta & Ellora, are celebrated for their exquisite sculptures and paintings. Nestled in the Sahyadris in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, the two cave complexes are located at a distance of around 100 kilometers from each other. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the caves are a beautiful blend of Buddhist, Jain and Hindu artistic styles.

Ajanta Caves- Rock Sculptures and Colorful Frescos
Carved into the steep face of a horseshoe-shaped gorge along the Waghore River, is a chain of 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves collectively known as Ajanta Caves. Much older than Ellora, some of the caves date back to the early Buddhist era in the 2nd century while some were carved in the 5th century (Mahayana Period). The caves; adorned with tasteful murals, frescos and sculptures showcasing Buddha figures and Jataka stories; are often described as the finest surviving examples of Indian art.

Ellora Caves- A Blend of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist Culture
Around a hundred kilometers from Ajanta are the Ellora Caves, a 2km stretch celebrating the awesome expertise and labor by generation of Buddhist, Hindu & Jain monks. Chiseled over a period of 500 years from the 6th to the 10th century, the network comprises of over 100 caves, but only 34 are for the public viewing. This includes 17 Hindu, 12 Buddhist, and 5 Jain caves. The striking Kailash Temple in cave no 16, carved out of a single rock, is certainly one of its kind in the world. Monasteries, shrines and Bodhisattva carvings & sculptures are the highlights of Buddhist caves. Located on the South Asian trade route, Ellora Caves were also used as lodgings for passing travelers.

Ellora Ajanta International Festival
Celebrated annually at Soneri Mahal in Aurangabad, the festival; a blend of classical, performing arts and popular forms of art; immortalizes the glory of Ajanta & Ellora.

Best Time to Visit
Its best to visit these magnificent caves is in the months from October to March. However, the caves are closed every week on Tuesday.

How to Reach Ajanta Ellora
By Air- You may land at Chikalthana Airport (domestic), around 11 kilometers from Aurangabad and take a taxi to the caves.
By Rail- Regular & direct trains to Aurangabad are available from all major railway stations across the country.
By Road- A good network of roads & highways connect Aurangabad to the major cities from the country. A short taxi or bus ride from Aurangabad takes you to the caves.