Ajanta Caves

Ajanta Caves are about 30 caves located in the Indian state of Maharashtra. With Ellora Caves, they are among the most-visited sites in India. The Ajanta Caves have been made an UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. They are located in a valley, about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from the town of Ajanta, in the northwest of the state. Buddhist monks lived in the valley, from 2nd century BCE to about the 7th century CE. They used some of the caves to make temples. All the caves are located near a non- perennial river, which only has water during and shortly after Monsoon season. Most of the caves were also used for being lived in. Only four are designed to be temples . The most important caves also contain paintings.

The nearest train station is about 77 kilometres (48 mi) away, at Jalgaon. Most often, tours operate from the city of Aurangabad, which is about

Ajanta Caves Media

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  Ajanta caves, Maharashtra

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  Cave 19, Ajanta 5th-century chaitya hall.

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  Panoramic view of Ajanta Caves from the nearby hill

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  Maps and plans of the Ajanta Caves

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  Cave 9, a first-period Hinayana-style chaitya worship hall with stupa but no idols

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  Name and date inscribed by John Smith after he found Cave 10 in 1819

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  Cave 24; the Ajanta Caves were carved into a massive rock on the Deccan plateau

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  Cave 4: a monastery, or vihara, with its square hall surrounded by monks' cells

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  Painted ceiling depicting Life circle of Lord Buddha

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  Buddhist monks praying in front of the Dagoba of Chaitya Cave 26

100 kilometres (62 mi) to the south. The tours often include both cave systems.