Ajanta Caves
The 30 Buddhist caves at Ajanta in northern Maharashtra where cut in a rock face of a gorge on the Waghore River in 2 phases. The first one occurred around 200 BC and from 400 to 650 AD, more caves were built. In 650 AD they were abandoned in favor of Ellora. Inside are murals and it is thought some 200 monks lived there once. The murals are some of the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian art.
In 1819 a British tiger-hunting party 'rediscovered' them. Don't forget to bring a flashlight.
The caves are located in the gorge of the Waghur river. In the same gorge are several beautiful waterfalls. Ajanta Caves are a UNESCO world heritage site.
Accommodation and restaurants are available in Jalgaon, the nearest city. The city has rail connections with the rest of India. The Ajanta Caves are 910 km south of New Delhi.
; "Image 1 - Grand Stupa ©Siddhesh Mangela [152kB]")
; "Image 2 - Ajanta Caves ©Siddhesh Mangela [75kB]")
; "Image 3 - Ajanta Caves ©Prajwal Vedpathak [93kB]")
; "Image 4 - Ajanta Caves ©Prajwal Vedpathak [97kB]")
; "Image 5 - Ajanta Caves ©Prajwal Vedpathak [117kB]")
; "Image 6 - Waterfall ©Mahadev Manjarekar [205kB]")
; "Image 7 - Ajanta Caves ©Pravin Wakode [162kB]")
; "Image 8 - Ajanta Caves ©Priyanka Singh [127kB]")
; "Image 9 - Ajanta Caves ©Priyanka Singh
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