Ajanta Ellora Caves are situated in the Aurangabad district of Maharastra, India. Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves have been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The rock-cut Buddhist viharas and chaityas of Ajanta Caves

If you are looking for a heritage tour package, Ajanta & Ellora Caves is the answer. The paintings at Ajanta and Ellora caves are of unfathomable heritage value. Despite its old age, dating back to the 2nd century BC, the paintings inside the caves look fresh. The sculptures are also excellent in their artistic value.

About Ajanta Caves

Ajanta caves were cut into a cliff on the south side of a U-shaped gorge on the small river Waghora or Wagura. There are several waterfalls on the gorge, which can be heard inside the caves when the river is high.

Ajantha caves were previously forest areas. Once the caves were not used, it was covered by thick forests. They were rediscovered by a British officer, John Smith, in the early eighteenth century while going hunting.

30 Buddhist cave monuments that date back to the second B.C. century are seen in Ajantha caves. Ajantha caves include paintings and sculptures, believed to be the best-surviving examples of Indian art, especially masterpieces of Buddhist religious art.

About Ellora Caves

Around 100 Kilometers away from Ajantha caves, you can find the ‘Ellora Caves’.  Ellora Caves are the epitome of Indian rock-cut architecture. Most of them (17 out of a total of 34 Ellora caves) are Hindu religious art, unlike Ajantha caves, which are Buddhist religious art.

You can find many Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain temples at both these caves. Cave numbers 1 to 12 in Ellora are Buddhist caves (12 in total), cave numbers 13 to 29 are Hindu caves (17 in total), and cave numbers 30 to 34 are Jain caves (5 caves in total). These show the religious harmony prevalent in that time.

Ellora Kailasanatha temple

Cave 16 has the beautiful Kailasha temple or Kailasanatha temple.  Kailasanatha temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered one of India’s most remarkable cave temples for its architecture, size, and sculptural value.

How Do I Go to Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves?

From Jalgaon Railway Station to Ajantha and Ellora (Without Going to Aurangabad)

Ajanta Caves are about 56 kilometers from the Jalgaon Railway Station on the Mumbai – New Delhi railway line. You will not be going to Aurangabad if you travel by this route. Ellora Caves is approximately 160 kilometers away from Jalgaon Railway Station.

Via Aurangabad to Ajantha and Ellora

The following two routes goes to Aurangabad city and, from there, to both sthe caves.

Aurangabad Railway Station, with station code AWB, is another major station to the caves at Ajantha and Ellora. It is on the Kacheguda–Manmad section, under the Nanded Sub-Division of South Central Railway.

Manmad Railway Station is another railway station closer to both the caves, on the Ernakulam – New Delhi railway line. The station code of Manmad station is MMR. It is around 120 kilometers from Aurangabad Railway Station. You have to board another train to Aurangabad from Manmad. It takes around two hours train journey between these two stations.

By Bus from Aurangabad City to Ajantha Caves

You must go to the Central Bus stand at Aurangabad to get buses to the Ajantha caves. All buses to Jalgaon or Bhusawal go close to the Ajantha caves. (Jalgaon railway station mentioned earlier is on the Mumbai – Delhi route.) The distance is about 100 kilometers. The bus fare is also approximately Rs 115 (2023 rate for the state government bus)

From the bus stop, walk a few meters and take the entry pass for Rs 15. Buy the e-bus ticket to the Ajantha cave base camp for Rs. 30 and go to the base camp. Then buy a Rs 40 entry ticket to the Ajantha cave.

By Bus from Aurangabad City to Ellora Caves

Ellora Caves are at a distance of 28 kilometers North-West of the city of Aurangabad. From Central Bus stand at Aurangabad, you get buses to Ellora. From Ellora, take the entry tickets and go to the caves.

Visiting Hours of Anantha Caves and Ellora Caves

Ajantha Caves can be visited between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. except Mondays. Ellora Caves are open from 06 am to 06 p.m., except Tuesdays. i.e., Ajantha caves are closed on Mondays, while Ellora caves are closed on Tuesdays.

Note: No shops are there near to the caves. Hence, carry the necessary snacks and water.

Hotels at Aurangabad & Jalgaon

Many hotels are on the opposite side of the railway station and across the city. There are many hotels near the central bus stand, too. There are a lot of hotels near Jalgaon Railway Station also.

Nearby Tourist Places

Bibi Ka Maqbara is approximately 6 kilometers from Aurangabad city.