Ajanta and Ellora are listed as World Heritage Sites

Ajanta: It is believed that a band of wandering Buddhist monks, in the 2nd century B.C., came here searching for a place to meditate during the monsoons. This place seemed ideal peaceful and remote from civilization. The setting was a sharp, wide horse shoe shaped spectacular gorge that fell steeply into a stream.They carved crude caves into this rock to form a temple. Over nine centuries the cave temples of ajanta evolved into works of splendid Art.

All the 30 temple caves are intricately decorated with sculptures and murals depicting the many incarnations of Buddha. Caves 1,2,16,17,19 are important and worth seeing.

Ajanta and Ellora are listed as World Heritage Sites

For 1500 years, Ellora has served as a pilgrimage site for millions of visitors. At Ellora you will find the greatest concentration of sculpture and cave temple architecture ever created by man. This world famous ancient religious center was made in homage to Gods of three religions : Buddhism, the resurging Hinduism and the later Jainism, in an inflorescence of concentrated burgeoning forms, constructed by thousands of sculptors under the direction of priests and architects in the Centuries 6th to 8th AD carved out from the living rock, nestled within the mile long cresent shaped rock face, these magnificent works of art serve the visitor to India as the essential lesson regarding the great historical and cultural part of the country. It is site not to be missed, as it holds within it, the essence of Indian culture.

- Carmel Berkson (USA)

Ellora: In the 7th century A.D. , for some inexplicable reason the focus of activity shifted from Ajanta to a site 100 km to the southwest of the place today known as Ellora.

The cave temples of Ellora lie hidden in the hills which have a shape of the crescent moon, that adds to its loveliness immensely. These caves unlike those at Ajanta are not solely Buddhist. Instead, they depict the course of religious development in India, the decline of Buddhism, Hindu Renaissance and the Jain Resurgence. Of the 34 caves , 12 are Buddhist, 17 Hindu and 5 Jain. Here sculpture takes the main form, entirely covering the walls.

The single most incredible edifice at Ellora is the Kailas temple-the World's Largest Monolith ever created. The caves 5,10,12,16,21,29,32 are not to be missed. The cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora are enough to stagger the senses. They must, very literally, be seen to be believed.

Aurangabad:

It is 29 km. from Ellora. Having the privilege of being an ancient and oldest city, Aurangabad has its own attractions. Bibi-ka-Maqbara, the mausoleum, was built by Moghal Emperor Aurangzeb's son, in memory of his mother. The Aurangabad caves built between the 6th and 8th century is also one of the attractions of this city.

Between Ajanta, Ellora and Aurangabad there are several places of interest to be covered. The Daulatbad Fort, Ghrushneswar temple, Shivalya Thirtha and Sita's bathing place at Ellora, the hill station Maheshmal, Banni Begam Park, Aurangazeb's tomb, Parion ka Talaab (lake of angels), Paithan Gardens, Pithalkhora Caves, Lonar etc.

Hotel Kailas facing Ellora caves and Ghrushneswar temple is close to all these places of interest and is most centrally located to conveniently cover Ajanta, Ellora and Aurangabad.

Recommended Tours:

One Day	One Day	One Day
Aurangabad	Aurangabad	Ellora Caves
Bibi-ka maqbara	Bibi-ka maqbara	Banni Begam Park
Ajanta Caves	Daulatbad Fort	Aurangzeb's tomb
Ellora - Hotel Kailas	Ellora Caves	Ghruneswara temple
	Ghruneswar temple	Maheshmal hill station
	Ellora - Hotel Kailas	Ellora - Hotel Kailas

* Ajanta Caves Remain Closed Every Monday
* Ellora Caves Remain Closed Every Tuesday