Ajanta Tourism and Travel Guide

Dating back to 100 BC, Ajanta Caves is a complex of 29 rock-cut caves around modern-day Aurangabad. The caves once served as a seat of learning for the Buddhists. This set of caves is almost 600 years older than the Ellora Caves and hence is acknowledged amongst the finest surviving example of early Indian art. Excavated as a horseshoe-shaped bend of a rock surface in a valley, it has serene and calm surroundings. The world famous mural paintings in tempera technique from both the early and later periods of time found here show religious influences. Graceful sculptures illustrate the exotic relationship between a man and a woman. The other noteworthy ornamentation of the Ajanta Caves are the Chaitya pillars. Beautiful wooden architectural styles on the octagonal pillars tapering inward envelope the paintings from the 1st to 6th century AD. The standing statue of Sahyadri-style Buddha is also a remarkable sculpture. Due to its location in the Waghora river valley, every cave was once connected to the Waghora stream by a flight of stairs, of which only ruins remain today. Once you are done exploring these historical monuments, you can also visit the Tomb of Aurangzeb, located nearby.