Traveling to Ajanta is like traveling back into the 2000-year-old ancient history of India preserved in the caves of Ajanta. Ajanta and Ellora caves are located near the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra and is about 300 kilometres northeast of the city of Mumbai. Ajanta and Ellora are protected monument sites under the Archaeological Survey of India and has been included in the World Heritage list of monuments.

The rock caves of Ajanta, numbering about 30,are in the shape of a mammoth horseshoe, nestling in an inner fold of the Sahyadri Hills. They remained in obscurity for over a millennium, till John Smith, a British Army Officer, accidentally stumbled upon them while on a hunting expedition in 1819. Using simple tools like hammer and chisel, the monks carved out impressive figures adorning the walls of these structures. These murals and frescoes depict the story of Buddhism, spanning the period from 200 BC to 650 AD. This makes the Ajanta caves a fascinating spiritual tourist attraction for Buddhists and scholars and researchers of Buddhism.

Excursions can be made to Aurangabad, which is as famous for its medieval monuments as for its proximity to the famous world heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora. Aurangabad is famous for shopping where one can alight or stopover to buy Himroo shawls, Paithani sarees or fabric like Mashru and Kimkhab. Also available are a wide display of jewelry made of semiprecious stones and decorative pieces.

It is easy to reach Ajanta and Ellora caves by air, road and rail from the major cities of and states of India.Aurangabad is the convenient base for tourists heading for the historic Ajanta -Ellora caves. Hotels in Aurangabad offer the tourists the best facilities along with the feel of a historic city. There is a range of accommodation available from luxury hotels to the budget hotels.

Visit www.travel.mapsofindia  for tour bookings and travel packages to Ajanta, India. For more information or to book a tour, please fill up the form below.
TRAVEL TO AJANTA  |  HOW TO REACH AJANTA |  TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN AJANTA HOTELS IN AJANTA  |  SHOPPING IN AJANTA