Ajanta And Ellora

Carved in the Sahyadri range of hills in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, the Ajanta and Ellora caves are the epitome of art and architecture. Both these rock-cut cave sites are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites and attract tourists from all over the world. Ajanta Ellora places to visit include the Buddhist Caves of Ellora, Ajanta Caves, and Kailasa Temple among others. Also known as Verul Leni, Ellora is a group of 34 caves dedicated to Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism. It is particularly famous for its spellbinding sculptures and architecture. Ajanta is a group of 30 Buddhist caves, celebrated for its unmatched wall paintings.

Ajanta And Ellora Overview

When to Visit Ajanta-Ellora

The weather of Ajanta and Ellora is pleasant during the monsoons and winters, while the summers are hot and dry. The best time to visit Ajanta and Ellora is between October and March when the weather is cooler, and exploring the caves is easier. The area experiences monsoons between June and September when the lush greenery and waterfalls offer a pleasant sight. The scorching heat of the summers usually keeps tourists away during April and May when Ajanta and Ellora temperature is quite high. The peak summers are not the best time to visit Ajanta and Ellora caves.

How to Reach Ajanta-Ellora?

You can explore Ajanta-Ellora from Aurangabad in Maharashtra, which also has other attractions besides Ajanta Ellora places to visit. Ellora group of caves is a mere 30 km from Aurangabad, while Ajanta caves are about 100 km away. The Ajanta Ellora places to visit can be reached by road from Aurangabad or Jalgaon. Aurangabad is well connected to other cities by roads, railways and flights. Aurangabad airport is connected to most major cities in India and sees several flights in a day. Another way to reach Ajanta caves is via Jalgaon, whose airport is about 50 km away. However, connectivity is limited to Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Nanded and Kolhapur, and the flights are mostly not regular. Both Aurangabad and Jalgaon have railway junctions which are very well connected to all parts of India. You may also avail private or government bus services that run in plenty and connect the Ajanta Ellora places to visit with the main cities of Maharashtra.

What are the things to see & do in Ajanta-Ellora?

There are numerous Ajanta Ellora places to visit. The caves are a perfect blend of art, architecture, history and culture. They take you back in time and offer a walkthrough of the different centuries and styles portraying the period they were built in. The Buddhist caves of Ellora and Kailasa Temple are among the top attractions included in Ajanta Ellora places to visit. You may also visit the Aurangabad caves and Daulatabad Fort if you have more time to spare.

Places to visit in Ajanta Ellora

Kailasa Temple - The most prominent of the Hindu caves in the Ellora group of caves is the Kailasa Temple. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and named after his abode in Mount Kailash. The whole temple has been carved out of a single rock. It is the worlds oldest monolithic, multi-storeyed rock-cut structure. Its construction is also a marvel in itself, as has been carved from top to bottom instead of the usual bottom to top. The precision that has been achieved with simple tools like chisels and hammers is an archaeological wonder, which must be seen to be believed. This is why it tops the charts for Ajanta Ellora places to visit.

The Buddhist Caves of Ellora Caves 1 to 12 of the Ellora group of caves are dedicated to Buddhism. The Chaitya hall or the Carpenters Cave is the most prominent of the Buddhist caves in Ellora, and features a 15-foot idol of the Buddha. Caves 11 and 12 are three-storeyed excavations, and house mostly Viharas or Monasteries. Built between the 5th and 7th centuries, the Buddhist caves feature magnificent sculptures of the Buddha, Bodhisattvas, Bodhishaktis and other deities. These remarkable caves are among the top Ajanta Ellora places to visit.

Ajanta Caves - Excavated between the 1st century BCE and the 7th centuryCE, the Ajanta group of caves is one of the most fascinating Ajanta Ellora places to visit. The caves are adorned with magnificent frescoes, sculptures and carvings that depict Jataka tales along with images of Buddha, Bodhisattva and other images sacred to Buddhism. If you have any interest in archaeology, history, art, architecture, or religion, then this is one of the best Ajanta Ellora places to visit.

Ajanta-Ellora Festival- The Ajanta Ellora Festival showcases the cultural and musical heritage of India. Organized by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), the festival focuses on classical music, folk music and myriad Indian dance forms. Held at the Soneri Mahal in Aurangabad, the festival continues for three days and attracts talents and music lovers from across India. The festival was originally held at the Ellora caves to promote Indias rich musical heritage and the Ajanta Ellora places to visit. You may plan your visit to Ajanta-Ellora during the festival to experience the grandeur and rich cultural heritage of our land. During the festival, Soneri Mahal ranks as one of the top Ajanta Ellora places to visit.

Grishneshwar Temple Less than a kilometre away from the Ellora caves lies the Grishneshwar Temple. The temple houses the last of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The current structure was rebuilt by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore after it was destroyed during the Mughal period. The temple features a five-tiered Shikhar and is built with bedrocks. It is an important pilgrimage site for the Hindus and is counted among the compelling Ajanta Ellora places to visit.

Bibi Ka Maqbara Dedicated to Mughal Emperor Aurangzebs wife Rabia-Ul-Daurani, this beautiful mausoleum is known as the Taj of the Deccan. Its resemblance to the Taj Mahal is legendary and is definitely worth a mention along with other Ajanta Ellora places to visit.

Food to try in Ajanta-Ellora

Apart from unique Ajanta Ellora places to visit, Aurangabad has its distinct flavor when it comes to food. It borrows from the Mughlai tradition of slow-cooked meals and also from Hyderabadi and Maharashtrian cuisine, which is rich in powdered spices. The signature dish of this place is the Naan Qalia, which is a combination of slow-cooked meat in coconut-based curry along with turmeric brushed naan or flatbreads. Another popular dish here is tahri, which is similar to biryani, but has its own unique taste and ingredients. Vegetarians can look forward to dal tadka, thalipeeth and sheermal a type of flatbread flavoured with saffron and ghee. The desserts here are also a must-try, with jalebis, imartis and falooda topping the list. You will find all these and more near Ajanta Ellora places to visit. Do try these lip-smacking Ajanta-Ellora food items when you are there.

Things to Shop in Ajanta-Ellora

Aurangabad is famous for its Himroo shawls and Paithani sarees. While Himroo shawls are made of locally grown silk and cotton, Paithani sarees are hand-crafted silk sarees with peacock, lotus or mango motifs that draw inspiration from the paintings of Ajanta-Ellora. You will find shops that sell these exquisite items unique to Aurangabad near most Ajanta Ellora places to visit.

But when one does arrive at that fresh frontier, there are ways better than others to begin your journey of discovery. Follow these steps and see the world with a new light.

• Discover a new city through a food tour. Food tour's are the easiest way to take a tour, learn about the local delicacies, and the best of all, get great tips that aren't just "local" tips for tourists, but sometimes, lessons for a lifetime too
• Use Public Transportation. When you are in a new city, you can possibly see places and people that you wouldn't normally see when simply walking to the places that checks your list. Some buses or rails take you to parts of the city you wouldn't get to see otherwise. Whilst using public transportation, just ensure that you are following the local norms and do remember to watch the locals!
• Find a local festival. Go beyond what other tourists might do while visiting a place. Look for the unique things you would want to do. Use social media or the local tourism website to find out what's going on locally. You may have to move out of the center of the city to do some of the less popular but more unique things, so just keep that in mind!

Conclusion

Get transported to another era as you move through the exquisitely carved and painted caves of Ajanta-Ellora. A treasure trove of art, culture, heritage and learning, Ajanta Ellora places to visit captivate people of all ages. Ensure that you wear comfortable clothing and good walking shoes when you set out to explore the caves, as exploring involves a good deal of walking. For those who are aged or require help, wheelchair services are also available at Ajanta-Ellora. Ajanta Ellora places to visit offer a unique experience, which will surely create long-lasting memories to cherish. Book your trip to Ajanta-Ellora and get set for an unforgettable time!