Ajanta Caves
30 Buddhist rock-cut caves famous for surviving ancient murals.
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Ajanta and Ellora Caves
Maharashtra, India· Last updated
- Best time
- October–March
- Getting there
- Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) Airport, approx. 30 km from Ellora, approx. 99–110 km from Ajanta.
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The main season, cool and comfortable for the considerable walking both sites involve.
Nearest Airport
Ajanta and Ellora are two separate rock-cut cave complexes roughly 100 km apart in the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) district, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites and both ranking among the most significant achievements of ancient Indian art and engineering, despite receiving considerably less international attention than comparable sites elsewhere. Ajanta's 30 caves, carved into a horseshoe-shaped cliff above the Waghur River, are exclusively Buddhist and famous chiefly for their surviving murals — paintings depicting Jataka tales (stories of the Buddha's previous lives) that remain vividly colored after roughly 1,500 to 2,000 years. Ellora's 34 caves, by contrast, represent Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions side by side, and include the Kailasa Temple — an entire temple carved downward from a single rock face, considered one of the most ambitious rock-cut monuments anywhere on Earth. The two caves suit any traveler with an interest in ancient art, architecture, or engineering — though genuinely appreciating both properly requires two full separate days rather than an ambitious single-day combination, given both the distance between them and the sheer amount there is to see at each. Nearby Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar adds further heritage sites, including the Bibi Ka Maqbara (a mausoleum closely modeled on the Taj Mahal) and Daulatabad Fort, for travelers extending their stay.
Nearby highlights
Ellora Caves
34 multi-faith rock-cut caves, including the monumental Kailasa Temple.
Kailasa Temple (Cave 16, Ellora)
An entire temple carved from a single rock, among the world's most ambitious rock-cut monuments.
Bibi Ka Maqbara
A Mughal-era mausoleum in Aurangabad, closely modeled on the Taj Mahal.
Daulatabad Fort
A hill fort with an ingenious defensive design, between Aurangabad and Ellora.
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How to reach Ajanta and Ellora Caves
Nearest Airport: Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) Airport, approx. 30 km from Ellora, approx. 99–110 km from Ajanta. Nearest Railway Station: Aurangabad Railway Station, approx. 30 km from Ellora, approx. 99–113 km from Ajanta; Jalgaon Railway Station is a closer alternative for Ajanta specifically, approx. 59 km. By Road: From Aurangabad, drive to Ellora, roughly 30 km, taking approximately 45 minutes-1 hour; continue or separately drive to Ajanta, roughly 99-105 km further, taking approximately 2.5-3 hours.
Best time to visit
October–March: The main season, cool and comfortable for the considerable walking both sites involve. June–September: Also recommended by several sources for pleasant post-monsoon greenery, alongside the cooler winter window. April–May: Very hot, generally not recommended for extensive outdoor sightseeing.
Where it is
Frequently asked questions
How many days are enough for Ajanta and Ellora?
2 days minimum — one full day for each site, given both the distance between them and the amount to see at each.
Is it possible to visit both caves in a single day?
Technically possible but not recommended; both sites deserve unhurried, separate visits.
Are Ajanta and Ellora suitable for families and couples?
Yes, though both involve considerable walking and, at Ajanta, some climbing.
What are the must-visit places near Ajanta and Ellora?
Bibi Ka Maqbara and Daulatabad Fort in Aurangabad, and Nashik's Sula Vineyards further along the route.
Packages that cover Ajanta and Ellora Caves
Ready-made Maharashtra itineraries from TripDnD-verified local experts — customise dates, stays and pace.
Shirdi Sai Baba Darshan
2N Mumbai · 2N Shirdi · 2N Aurangabad
Maharashtra · 6 Nights / 7 Days
By Wheels And Wings
Pilgrimage
From
₹33,000
per person
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