Ajantha caves

About Ajantha caves

In the early 19th century, the long buried Ajanta Caves were discovered unknowingly by a British Army Officer. At this juncture, the beautiful sculpted caves that were lying deep within the Sahyadri Hills, above the Waghora River, came into the sight. The cave temples are sited in a horse-shoe shaped cliff, where Wagura is flowing at the bottom. Wagura River falls from a height of 200 feet, consequently making a series of waterfalls. The thud of these waterfalls can be easily noticed in the Caves.

Situated far away from inhabitation, amidst isolated surroundings, these caves were built in the middle of a huge rock. The main aim behind the construction of the Ajanta Caves was to provide a dwelling and praying place for the Buddhist monks, who were dedicated towards the mission of spreading the principles of Buddhism throughout the world. All of them have been carved with precision and adorned with exquisite architectural details. The sculptures seen here seem to be the result of superb craftsmanship.

The caves, including unfinished are thirty in number of which five (9, 10, 19, 26 and 29) are “Chaitya-Grihas” and the rest are “Sangharamas” or Viharas (monasteries). The caves 1, 2, 16 and 17 can be ranked high among the greatest artistic works of the contemporary world.The 30 Chaityas and Viharas have paintings, which illustrate the life and incarnations of Buddha. The artist has lent his creativity in each work with an overwhelming sense of vitality. These paintings have survived time and till date the numerous paintings glowing on the walls make the atmosphere very vibrant and alive.

Climate/Weather

Seasonal normal atmosphere.

History

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Ajanta\_Caves

Interesting things to do

Explore the Beauty of Ajanta Caves.

Interesting things to Visit

Biwi-Ka-Maqbara:
The tomb is a replica of the Taj Mahal, and the most beautiful structure in Aurangabad. It was built in 1678 by Aurangzeb’s son, Prince Azam Shahas.

Lonar:
This place has a mouth of volcano which ranks amongst the world’s largest five.The Lonar crater is the world’s only salt water lake in basaltic rock, believed to have been caused by a meteorite hitting Earth around 50,000 years ago. It is surrounded by jungle with a large variety of birds, particularly peacocks, owls, red-wattled Lapwings and ducks. Thirteen temples surround the lake.

Panchakki:
The Panchakki or the watermills was built in 1624 AD as a memorial to Muslim Saint Baba Shah Muzaffar.This monument located in Aurangabad, Maharastra, displays the scientific thought process put in medieval Indian architecture. It was designed to generate energy via water brought down form a spring on a mountain

Nearest Visiting places

1.Ellora Caves, Aurangabad
2.Elephanta Caves, Aurangabad
3.Gateway of India, Mumbai
4.Khajuraho Temples
5.Sanchi Stupa
6.Golconda Fort, Hyderabad
7.Jama Masjid, Hyderabad

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

The Maharashtra Tourism Corporation Holiday resort near Aurangabad railway station, The Ajanta travellers lodge at the caves and the M.T.D.C. Holiday resort at Fardpur (4 Km from Ajanta) provide clean and comfortable accommodation.

Tips & Suggestions

Flash photography is not allowed inside the caves.You must remove your shoes before entering some of the caves, so be sure to wear cheap, slip-on shoes.

Help Line/Phone Number

Police Station: 100 Nearest Hospital: Available in Aurangabad. Society/Community Phone Number

The Ellora caves, locally known as ‘Verul Leni’ is located on the Aurangabad-Chalisgaon road at a distance of 30 km north-northwest of Aurangabad, the district headquarters. The Ellora caves is one of the World Heritage Sites in India. The Elora caves are one of the wonders of the time and speak volumes about the excellent craftsmanship of the Ellora artists, sculptors and painters. The structures at Ellora caves are not creation of a particular period but were built over a long period of time from the 6th century AD to 10th century. The structures at Ellora comprise of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain cave temples and monasteries……more

Jaikwadi dam, also known as Nath Sagar is located near Paithan.It is about 50 km from Aurangabad, built on river Godavari and about 110 km from Ahmednagar. Its area is 1300 km². It supplies water to Aurangabad City and generates power.The power station is at the foot of dam and is generating 12 MW power with reversible type generator.The Jaikwadi Dam supplies water to Aurangabad City and generates ample hydroelectric power……more

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Location info

Address: Aurangabad, Maharashtra,India. District: Aurangabad district Nearest City: Jalgaon Best time to visit: Dec-Feb and July-Sep

Best time to visit Ajantha caves

October to March: comfortable temperatures for exploring. Caves provide natural shelter from heat.

Timings & opening hours

Typically open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. Closed on Mondays at some sites.

Entry fee & tickets

INR 25–40 for Indian nationals, INR 300–600 for foreign nationals. Free for children under 15.

Duration needed

1–2 hours for a group of caves. Ajanta and Ellora each require half a day to a full day.

Safety tips

Carry a torch/flashlight — interior areas may be dimly lit. Watch your step on uneven stone floors. Do not touch the paintings or carvings — oils from fingers can damage them. Photography rules vary by cave.

Things to carry

Torch/flashlight, comfortable walking shoes, water bottle, camera (check photography policy), and a light jacket (caves are cooler inside).

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest airport: Aurangabad Airport (IXU) or Mumbai International Airport. Nearest railway station: Aurangabad, Lonavala, or nearest station. Accessible by road.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, and Vi all provide excellent coverage across Maharashtra’s cities (Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur) and major tourist areas. 4G is reliable along highways and in most towns. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Tadoba, Melghat, and certain ghat sections. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and cafes.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Maharashtrian cuisine — missal pav, vada pav, puran poli, and local thalis — is widely available.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road to Ajantha caves. It is advisable to fill fuel before heading to remote areas, especially hill forts and wildlife sanctuaries.

Frequently asked questions

Are Ajanta Caves open on Mondays? Yes, Ajanta Caves are open all days except Tuesdays. The visiting hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Is photography allowed inside Ajanta Caves? Photography is allowed but without flash inside the caves. Video cameras require a separate fee. Tripods are not permitted without permission.

How much time is needed to see Ajanta Caves? A thorough visit takes about 3–4 hours for all accessible caves. Many visitors combine Ajanta with a visit to Ellora Caves over two days.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not currently available for this site. Contact the venue directly or check with your accommodation for the latest accessibility details.

Rules & restrictions

Standard visitor rules apply. Check locally for any specific restrictions at this site.

Best photography spots

The best photography spots are typically during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon). Scout the location first to identify the best angles, and consider the direction of light at different times of day.

Quick facts

• Location: Maharashtra
• Best time to visit: November to February for pleasant weather
• Ideal duration: 1-3 hours for a thorough exploration
• Entry: Entry fee applicable (varies for Indian and foreign tourists)
• Guided tour: Available on request at the ticket counter
• Photography: Permitted in most areas; flash may be restricted

Visitor information

• Timings: Generally open from sunrise to sunset. Verify local timings before planning your visit.
• Entry fee: Entry fee applies as per Archaeological Survey of India rates. Check at the ticket counter for current charges.
• Best time to visit: October to March for the most comfortable weather conditions.
• Duration needed: 1 to 2 hours recommended for a comfortable visit.

Map & location view

• Destination: Ajantha caves
• State: Maharashtra, India
• Location details: Address: Aurangabad, Maharashtra,India. District: Aurangabad district Nearest City: Jalgaon Best time to visit: Dec-Feb and July-Sep; Jalgaon at a distance of around 60 km Nearest Airport: Aurangabad domestic airport lies closest to the Ajanta caves and approximately 100 km away
• Region: archeological region of Maharashtra
• How to reach: Accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. Local transport options include buses and taxis.
• Google Maps: Search for “Ajantha caves, Maharashtra” on Google Maps for precise directions and navigation.

Photo gallery of Ajantha caves

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Ajantha caves on popular travel photography sites and social media.