Ajanta, India, is home to a collection of 29 Buddhist cave temples known as the Ajanta Caves. A few of the caves are even older than the second century BC. Some of the greatest examples of Buddhist art in the nation may be seen in these caves, which combine elements of the Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist traditions.
These caves have colourful paintings and statues depicting scenes from ordinary life with profound inscriptions, as well as scenarios related to the lives of Buddha and other Bodhisattvas. Travellers frequently take tours that combine exploration of the Ajanta Caves with the neighbouring Ellora Caves.
The ever-so-beautiful Ajanta caves are not just about the paintings and caves; there is also an unsolved mystery surrounding the site that has drawn a lot of tourists throughout the years. The mountains that captivated the monarchs today captivate every adventure-seeker with a strong desire to explore.
History of caves
From the second century forward, India’s history was preserved in the Ajanta caves. Ajanta has been uniquely transformed into a gallery of paintings, architecture, inscriptions, Buddhist religion, and educational facilities by the Satavahanas period of the South King and subsequent times.
The caves have acted as a repository for several historical documents that help us comprehend Indian civilization.
How to reach
The nearest airport to the caves is Aurangabad; therefore, if someone is flying, they should go there first so they may take a bus or cab to the ancient site.
If a person plans to go by rail, they can board a train that will drop them off at the stations in Bhusaval or Jalgaon. From there, they can take a cab or a state transportation bus to get to the caves.
Activities to do in and around
Ajanta offers visitors the opportunity to discover the rich history within each cave as well as see each of the thirty Buddhist cave structures carved out of rock. If someone wants to spend the weekend away from Maharashtra, they may always travel to Pune or Mumbai.
Additionally, they might visit the Chikhaldara hill station to see the local fauna. Ajanta is surrounded by several other historical and religious sites, one of which is the Ellora Caves, which are open to visitors.
Timings of Ajanta Caves
All year long, the Ajanta caves are open; however, they are closed on Mondays. Visitors can explore the caves from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Indian Standard Time).
Entry Fee
The cost of entry to Ajanta Caves varies according to the visitor’s age and nationality:
For Indian minors under the age of fifteen: Free admission
For Indian nationals over the age of 15, the cost is Rs. 30 per person.
Rs. 30 per person for citizens of SAARC countries (Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Pakistan).
For nationals of nations outside of SAARC: INR 500 per individual
Rs. 5 for every camera and video recorder
The supervisors have instructed everyone to use the camera without a flash.
The Best time to visit Ajanta Caves
The months of November through February are the ideal times to visit the Ajanta Caves since the winter months make the site pleasant and cool to explore, unlike the summer months when temperatures may soar to forty degrees or the monsoon season when there is an abundance of precipitation.
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