Where are the Ajanta and Ellora Caves?
The Ajanta Caves are located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. The
caves lie by the side of the Waghora river amidst the verdant Shayadri
Hills. The Ellora Caves are situated in the Charanadari Hills in the village
of Verul, at a distance of 26 km north of Aurangabad district. The caves lie
at a distance of 400 km from the city of
Mumbai.
How will you gain access?
Aurangabad Airport (99 km from Ajanta and 30 km from Ellora) is the closest
airport. The airport has direct links with
Delhi,
Udaipur,
Jaipur and
Mumbai. Talking of railways, one
should be aware that there are regular train services between Mumbai and
Aurangabad. The Devgiri Express and the Tapovan Express operate daily
between the two cities. Jalgaon is another railhead which is 59 km from
Ajanta. From Aurangabad one can avail of regular tourist bus services to the
Ajanta and the Ellora caves. The caves are connected by an excellent
road-network to places like Mumbai, Pune, Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Ahmedabad,
Shirdi, Nashik,
Hyderabad,
Indore, Bijapur, Aurangabad etc.
What are the timings and the entry charges?
The Ajanta Caves are open from 09:00 hours to 17:30 hours daily except
Mondays and national holidays. For Indians Rs. 10.00 is charged per head and
it is US $10 for the foreign nationals. The Ellora Caves too are open from
sunrise to sunset. Entry to Ellora is free except for the Kailasa Temple.
For Indians, the fee is Rs. 10 and for outsiders it is US $10. The caves are
closed on Mondays and national holidays.
What does the past say?
» Ajanta Caves
The Ajanta Caves, 29 in number, were discovered only in the 19th century.
The history of the Ajanta Caves date back between 200 BC and 650 AD. For
ages the caves were into a world of oblivion lying deep in the Sahayadri
Hills. The caves are the masterpieces of the Buddhist Art.
» Ellora Caves
The Ellora caves are 34 in number. The caves were carved between 350 AD and
700 AD. The caves are representatives of three different faiths- Hinduism,
Buddhism and Jainism. 12 of the caves are Buddhist, 17 are dedicated to
Hinduism and the remaining five symbolise Jainism.
What goes behind the architecture?
» Ajanta Caves
The
exquisite rock-cut monuments of Ajanta symbolise the brilliance of the
Buddhist architecture. These caves are considered to be the masterpieces of
the Buddhist Art. The paintings on the walls and ceilings of the caves cover
various themes and subjects relating to the life of Lord Buddha and various
Buddhist divinities. The Ajanta Carvings of the Mahayana Phase rival even
challenges those of the Gupta period monuments.
» Ellora Caves
Kailasa, cave 16, is the largest monolithic structure in the world and is
the focus of the site. The architecture of the Ellora caves symbolises a
wide range of techniques. The sculptural compositions that adorn the caves
are among the finest examples from the Chalukya, Kalachuri and Rashtrakuta
periods. Ellora has been attracting, for ages, chroniclers, scholars,
antiquarians and tourists from all around the globe.
What are the nearby attractions?
» Bibi Ka Maqbara
Bibi Ka Maqbara, a replica of the Taj Mahal, was built by Mughal
emperor's Aurangzeb's son as a tribute to his mother Begum Rabia Durrani. It
was erected in the year 1679.
» Panchakki
The Panchakki (Watermill) was built by Malik Amber in 1695. The mill was
used to grind grains for the pilgrims. The gardens and fish tanks here are
reminiscent of the Sufi saint Baba Shah Musafir who was cremated here in
1624.
» State Archaeology Museum
The State Archaeology Museum exhibits a collection of sculptures and broken
panel from archaeological sites in Pithan. The museum remains open from
10-30 hours to 17-30 hours daily except Sundays.
» Which are the nearby hotels?
There are accommodation facilities available near Ajanta and Ellora caves.
However if one wishes to stay in Aurangabad, there is never a paucity of
hotels and lodges. The Maharshtra Tourism Development Corporation runs a
holiday resort near the Aurangabad railway station. The Ambassador, 4 km
from airport, is a 5-star hotel while the Meadows, 16 km from the airport,
is a 3-star. Hotel President Park, on the Airport Road, is a Government
approved hotel.
Where should you shop?
Aurangabad has been endowed with a legacy of brilliant handicrafts. The
legendary Paithani silk sarees are famous all over. The intricate craft of
Bidri ware is reminiscent of the Mughal era. The exquisitely woven silk
Himru and Mushru shawls can be the best buys for the visitors. Pathani Silk
Weaving Centre at 54 P-1 Town Centre is very popular for buying the above
mentioned items. The shop is behind the Indian Airlines Booking Office.
