Ajanta
Painted Buddhist Caves in a Horseshoe Gorge
Overview
Ajanta is a group of about thirty rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments carved into a horseshoe cliff above the Waghur river in Maharashtra's Aurangabad district. Excavated in two broad phases between roughly the 2nd century BCE and the late 5th century CE, the caves are celebrated for their surviving murals and sculpture, and were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. The site is closed on Mondays. MyTripMyTravel pairs Ajanta with Ellora as a two-day rock-cut art circuit, chauffeured from Aurangabad with an art-historian guide.
Ajanta's caves were cut into a steep basalt escarpment that curves around a bend in the Waghur river. The monuments include both prayer halls (chaityas) and monasteries (viharas), and represent one of the most important surviving bodies of early Buddhist art in India.
The caves fell out of use and were largely forgotten until a British officer, John Smith, came upon them in 1819 while hunting. Their painted walls, depicting Jataka tales and courtly life, are the reason Ajanta is studied worldwide, though the surviving pigment is fragile and lighting inside is deliberately kept low.
Ajanta lies roughly 100 km from Aurangabad, so most visitors treat it as a full day out. Because it is closed on Mondays, itineraries need care; MyTripMyTravel plans the visit around opening days and light.
At a glance
Ajanta in brief
When to visit
October to March
The cooler, drier months make the walk along the gorge and the climb between caves far more comfortable. The monsoon (June to September) turns the surrounding hills green and the Waghur can flow strongly, which is scenic, but heat and humidity in April and May are draining. Aim for a mid-morning start so the caves are well lit by the day.
Things to do
Experiences in Ajanta
Cave 1 murals
A vihara famous for its painted walls, including the well-known bodhisattva figures that survive from the later phase of work.
Cave 26 chaitya
A pillared prayer hall with a large carved stupa and a reclining Parinirvana Buddha along one wall.
Viewpoint across the gorge
The lookout on the opposite ridge shows the full horseshoe sweep of the cliff and the river bend below.
Guided art walk
An art-historian guide helps read the Jataka scenes and phases of carving that untrained eyes tend to miss.
Waghur river bend
The quiet valley floor beneath the caves gives a sense of why monks chose this secluded gorge.
Getting there
How to reach Ajanta
Aurangabad (IXU) is the nearest airport, about 100 km away, with connections via Mumbai and Delhi; Ajanta is then a road transfer.
Jalgaon Junction (≈ 60 km) and Aurangabad are the practical railheads; both need onward road travel to the caves.
A well-used highway links Aurangabad and Jalgaon to the Ajanta T-junction, where visitors transfer to shuttle buses for the final stretch.
MyTripMyTravel runs chauffeured day trips from Aurangabad, timed around the Monday closure and afternoon light.
Where to stay
Aurangabad is the sensible base, with established hotels used to the Ajanta to Ellora circuit and easy morning departures.
The city's larger properties offer full-service comfort, pools and reliable dining after a long day among the caves.
Jalgaon offers a closer, more modest overnight option for travellers approaching from the north.
Where to eat
The city's kitchens lean on rich, Deccan-Mughlai cooking, a legacy of its long history as a regional capital.
Basic vegetarian meals and refreshments near the entrance make a practical stop between caves.
For a proper sit-down meal, the city's hotel restaurants are the dependable choice after the drive back.
Good to know
Ajanta, your questions
Is Ajanta open every day?
No. Ajanta is closed on Mondays, so itineraries are usually planned around that. Ellora, by contrast, is closed on Tuesdays, which lets the two sites be paired across consecutive days.
How old are the caves?
They were carved in two broad phases, from roughly the 2nd century BCE and again around the 5th century CE, making the earliest work over two thousand years old.
Can you photograph the paintings?
Photography rules and lighting are controlled to protect the fragile pigment, and flash is not allowed inside the painted caves. Your guide will explain what is permitted.
How much walking is involved?
Expect steps and a fair amount of walking along the cliff between caves. The pace is manageable, but comfortable shoes and water are advisable.
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