Explore the world of Ajanta on more than 13 Places
From Budget to Luxury starting Rs. 0 onwards
Ajanta and Ellora caves are considered to be one of the most important tourist destinations in the world owing to the magnificent paintings of Ajanta and well-carved sculptures of Ellora. The rock-cut caves containing carvings are the finest example of Indian paintings and sculpture. For those who love to travel the past to get a panorama of life in ancient India, Ajanta and Ellora caves by the river Waghora, are the best sites to visit. Adorned with beautiful sculptures, paintings and frescoes Ajanta and Ellora caves are an amalgamation of Buddhist, Jain and Hindu monuments as the complex includes both Buddhist monasteries as well as Hindu and Jain temples. They are the queen of Sahyadri hills buried by thick forests all around. The greenery that surrounds the caves keeps the atmosphere pleasant and fresh. This visit will induce a sense of discovery, a discovery of the self, and of the divine.
Travellers are preffering these places in Ajanta
Experience Time: 2-3 hours
Distance: 80 kms
Located around 99 km from the town of Aurangabad, lie the Ajanta Caves now included in the list of UNESCO World heritage Sites. Ajanta caves depict the Buddhist culture and their stories through various sculptures and paintings. It also takes you to the world of Jatakas. Situated in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, the Ajanta caves is a set of 30 rock cut Buddhist caves that date back to the period between 2nd century BC and 650 CE. The Ajanta caves are considered one of the most prestigious monuments of India as they house many beautiful paintings and sculptures depicting the rich cultural heritage of India. Naturally used as a retreat by the Buddhist monks, the caves depicts the serenity of Buddhism through its simple yet breathtaking sculpture. The basic designs of the caves are called 'Chaityagrihas' & 'viharas.' There are in total 29 caves. Figurines of Lord Buddha and scenes from the traditional Jataka tales are the mainstays of this place. The area used to be heavily forested and the caves fell out of social conscience before being rediscovered by a British hunting officer in 1819.
Experience Time:
Distance: 1 kms
While Ajanta and Ellora caves are known as the world famous Buddhist monuments, they are a testimony to the fact that the three religions Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism were one and hence there are also Hindu temples to visit. One of them is the Kailasa or the Kailasanatha temple in cave 16 which is designed to recall Mount Kailash, the home of god Shiva in the Himalayas. It is the largest monolithic structure in the world, carved top-down from a single rock. The temple is a tall pyramidal structure carved with niches, plasters, as well as images of deities. It's a Shiva temple carved in the shape of a chariot. One of its better-known decorations is a scene of Vishnu transformed into a man-lion, battling a demon. Apart from this, there are few more Hindu Temples here.
Shrines and paintings of Buddha, all encompassed in about 12 Buddhist caves. The 12 Buddhist Caves mostly include viharas or monasteries. In these caves, several monasteries have shrines that are carved with paintings and sculptures of Buddha, Bodhisattva and Saints. Among all, Chaitya hall Cave 10 popularly known as the 'Carpenter's Cave' is the most famous Buddhist cave. This cave features a cathedral-like stupa hall, which is called as chaityas. In the centre of this cave, there is 15-feet high statue of Buddha. Chaitya has a pillared verandah (gallery), which houses two shrines and a single cell. A stupa, with 3.3 m high Buddha seated in Vyakhyana mudra, is carved in the apsidal part of the cave.
Distance: 2 kms
Grishneshwar is an ancient pilgrimage site where one of the twelve Jyotirlinga manifestations of Lord Shiva is found. It is located at a distance of around half a kilometer from Ellora and 11 km from Daulatabad near Aurangabad in Maharashtra. The Grishneshwar Temple is also known by several other names like Kusumeswarar, Ghushmeswara, Grushmeswara and Grishneswara. The inscriptions on the temples are a source of attraction to devoted Traveller. The temple is built of red rocks which call for the enchanting look that it delivers. Built in the 18th century the temple is cubicle in shape. There are beautiful carvings and attractive sculptures of Indian Gods and Goddess.
There are in total 5 Jain caves at Ellora and they are dated to the ninth and tenth century AD. Among the important ones are the Indra Sabha (cave 32), Chhota Kailash (cave 30) and the Jagannath Sabha (cave 33). Cave 34 is an unfinished four-pillared hall with a shrine. Another place called Samvatsarana is located in Ellora caves which was used by Tirthankaras preached after attaining omniscience.
Distance: 19 kms
Known as Dakkhani Taj (Taj of Deccan), Bibi Ka Maqbara is situated about 5 km from the Aurangabad city. The Bibi-Ka-Maqbara is a beautiful mausoleum of Rabia-ul-Daurani alias Dilras Banu Begum. Bibi Ka Maqbara is built out of marbles on an elevated square platform with four minarets at its corners. MTDC organizes a fair every year in the month of October as the Bibi Ka Maqbara festival. There is an archaeological museum located just behind the main structure. The museum houses rare collection of artifacts and articles of personal use from the times of the Mughal era.
Distance: 5 kms
Khuldabad is a nearby town in Aurangabad and is also known as "Rauza", meaning garden of paradise. It houses the very famous temple of Bhadra Maruti Temple, which is highly revered by Hindus. Lots of people come here, especially on Hanuman Jayanti. There are various important monuments in this fortified town of Khuldabad. The most famous one being the tomb of Mughal Emperor Aurungjeb and the tomb of the first Nizam of Hyderabad. Valley of Saints is located nearby with over 1500 graves of Sufi Saints from 14th century AD. Apart from these, there are several more tombs, dargahs, gardens, etc.
Distance: 9 kms
Daulatabad Fort (14 kilometer away from Aurangabad City), in Daulatabad, or 'the abode of wealth' is situated on an isolated conical hill from a 600 feet high mesa-like flat terrain. A series of secret, puzzled, endless passages lounge curved like a python amidst the fort. Daulatabad fort, in Aurangabad is a rare kind of construction, which is a combination of the ground fort and the hill fort. The imposing fort is built on an isolated pyramid-shaped natural mountain peak. The fort area is surrounded by three concentric walls (fortifications) known as kots. The Daulatabad fort was one of the most powerful forts during the medieval period. This complex is well intact, providing visitors an admirable insight into how life might have existed in times when the fort and town was lively
Distance: 17 kms
The marvelous caves of Aurangabad are tucked between the Satara and Sihyachal range of hills in Aurangabad. These caves house the ancient temples of 6th and 8th century A.D. The Aurangabad caves are located on a hill nearly 2 km behind Bibi-ka-Maqbara. These caves are typically Buddhist in the architectural form, with incredible sculptures. These caves are believed to be the starting point of Ajanta caves, half-done the people realized that the material was too soft for carving stone and therefore these were left unfinished. A Buddhist shrine, the famous carving of the "Sutasoma Jataka" and the floral/geometrical architecture is remarkable
Distance: 20 kms
Built about 1700, this is a water mill used for grinding grains. The forethought put into the marvel of architecture is truly amazing. This monument located in Aurangabad, displays the scientific thought process put in medieval Indian architecture. The entire functionality of the water mill (Panchakki) truly amazes you. But it can be missed in case you are running short of time as this site has got mixed sort of reviews from the visitors.
Aurangabad is famous for shopping where one can stopover to buy Himroo shawls, Paithani sarees or fabric like Mashru and Kimkhab. Paithani Weaving Cente, Gul Mandi, Connaught Shopping Market, Nirula Bazaar, Himroo Factory are some of the popular shopping spots situated in heart of the city. A visit to Connaught Shopping Market is a must if you wish to take back home some fine silks and shawls. Situated close to Zaffar Gate in Old Aurangabad, Himroo Factory, one of the major tourist attractions in Aurangabad, is an awesome place to shop for popular Himroo weaves, paithani saris, handloom shawls and lot's more.
Distance: 25 kms
Apart from the magnificent caves that exhibit the best of Buddhist religious art the shopping plaza is another major tourist attraction in Ajanta. The market is famous for the variety of stones. Display of jewellery made of semiprecious stones and decorative pieces is also available. You can also buy Buddha's showpeieces and bargaining is rampant so amke sure that you are not robbed.
Distance: 23 kms
Shopping near Ajanta and Ellora caves is fascinating as the region is rich in the art and culture of several communities.
Book Your Cab Now