Aurangabad Division

Ajanta Caves

Envoy of mesmerizing Indian wall painting that flourished between 2 BC and 7 AD, Ajanta Caves consist of 30 rock-cut cave monuments. Dedicated to Buddhism and Jataka Tales, the murals on the walls are extremely spellbinding and so are the sculptures and architectural elements of these caves. Carved along a horseshoe-shaped cliff along River Waghora, the caves boast of mystic ambiance and lush green surroundings. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, these caves have been designated as the protected monuments by the Archaeological Survey of India. While few caves represent the Hinayana phase of Buddhism, while others are believed to belong to the Mahayana phase. Monasteries, stupas, sanctuaries, viharas, chaitya-grihas and verandas are the main sections. Few of the caves continue to be incomplete. Murals at Ajanta consist of decorative patterns and are done using a variety of shades. Some equally majestic caves can be found at Ellora at the distance of about 105 km. Warnings: Carrying a torch can be handy as it may get dark inside the caves.