The Ajanta Caves in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state of India are about 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 or 650 CE.
Ellora is one of the largest rock-cut monastery-temple caves complexes in the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Maharashtra, India. The site presents monuments and artwork of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism from the 600-1000 CE period. Cave 16 of Ellora features the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world, the Kailasha temple, a chariot shaped monument dedicated to Shiva. They were built in proximity and illustrate the religious harmony prevalent in ancient India.
How to travel to Ajanta and Ellora Caves? How to reach Aurangabad?
Fly from Hyderabad to Aurangabad(5K).
Or take an overnight train to Manmed and get down at Aurangabad Junction.
Or take a private bus(3K) from Hyderabad(or other major cities) to Aurangabad, easier if last minute planning
There are direct flights from other major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, Udaipur
Stay at Aurangabad. Decent selection of hotels available.
Either do the Ellora first day and Ajanta the second day or vice versa. If you have evening flight, then keep Ellora to the last day as drive to Ajanta is 2 hrs.
Journey to the caves
Ajanta is a 2 hr drive from Aurangabad and can be visited on the day you arrive. Sunrises on these caves
Wake up early the next day for going to Ellora caves and sunsets here.
Carry water bottle, white torch light if you want to see the intricate designs clearly.
Opens at 9 am and closes at 5:30 pm
Best time to visit is from November to March
The Ajanta caves are closed on Mondays, and the Ellora caves are closed on Tuesdays
Must visit place for a weekend or rather a weekday when rush is less. Suggest land in morning, watch Ajanta caves which is 2 hr drive. Watch Ellore caves the next day which will be closer to hotels and stay overnight or travel back.
So much history and archaeological splendor, that it is a must visit for any of us.
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