History, Importance, Timings, Architecture, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Ajanta Caves, Ajanta, Maharashtra, India
Group of around 30 rock cut Buddhist Caves situated in small village of Ajanta in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state of India is now world famous as Ajanta Caves. It is now protected monument by Archaeological Survey of India and declared as UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. These Buddhist caves memorial is said to be dated from the 2nd century. These caves along with Ellora caves jointly famous as Ajanta Ellora caves or Ajanta Ellora or Ajanta and Ellora Caves are the one of the oldest and finest example of survived ancient Indian art where rock cut sculptured and painting of the caves are just amazing. Specifically admirable expressive fresco-type paintings, many of them still glowing with their original colours which represent emotions by way of gesture, pose and form. Ajanta Caves are globally considered as masterpiece of Buddhist religious art, thus becomes must visit place of Maharashtra especially for history and art lover.
It is believed that the caves were constructed in two phases. The first phase had been started approximately in the second century BCE. And the second phase had been occurred from 400-650 CE. The Ajanta Caves comprise prehistorically monasteries and worship halls of divergent Buddhist traditions and it is sculptured 246 ft. wall of Rock. These caves are either Chaityas Griha – worship hall (chapels- stupa monument halls) or Viharas (monasteries with residence halls). These caves ae used by Buddhist monks for meditation and the study of Buddhist teachings mainly during monsoon. Ajanta Caves are excavated in the horseshoe-shaped bend of rock surface nearly 76 mt height, located on bank of the river Waghur and forest ravines of the Sahyadri Hills.
The previous lives of Buddha and rebirth of the Buddha and rock cut sculpture of Buddhist divinity had been also present in the caves and it also present the pictorial tales from the Ary-Sura’s JataKamala these caves served as a monsoon retire for Abbott is suggested in the textual records and also said that it was the resting site for worshippers and merchants in pre historical India. As corroboration by historical records of caves 1 2 16 and 17 of Ajanta. Graphic colours and mural wall painting were copious in Indian history. Among the most interesting paintings are the Jataka tales, illustrating diverse stories relating to the previous incarnations of the Buddha as Bodhisattava, a devout being who is intended to become the Buddha. Ajanta caves include both the types of Hinyana and Mahayana art, architecture, painting and scriptures. Cave number 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 and 15 are repressing representing the Hinyana and Cave numbered as 1, 2, 16, 17, 19, 26 related to Mahayana sect. Caves number 19 and 26 are the prayer halls of the Mahayana caves.
In the Maharashtra state the Ajanta cave is one of the most attracted place for tourist as like Ellora Caves. Ajanta cave is 100 kilometres far from the Ellora Caves. Ellora caves contain Hindu, Buddhist and Jain Caves. The last dating of Ellora Caves from period as like to Ajanta Caves. It is found in the Ellora caves that it includes the Ajanta style. And also found Aurangabad Caves, Shivaleni Caves, Elephanta Caves and the cave temple of Karnataka as well.
The caves incorporate of 36 identifiable foundations some of them brought to the light after the remodel of the caves from 1 through 29. The post identified caves have been suffix with the letters such as 15A which lies between primordial identified Caves 15 and 16. The reason behind this is it does not reflect the chronological order of their erection. And it is a convention of convenience. In these caves few must visit and notable caves to see here are Cave 1, 2, 4, 9, 10 and 17.
In 1819 colonial British officer captain John Smith was on a tiger hunting party and fortuitously they discovered these Caves and brought to Western attention. Till the date the Caves were enveloped by the forest. Caves are in the stony Northern wall of the u-shaped Ravine of the river ‘Waghur’. Within the river there are a number of waterfalls and when the river is high its sound is audible from outside the Caves.
Visitors Information
Ajanta Caves are open throughout the year on all days except Mondays. Tourists can visit the caves from 9 am to 5.30 pm and book ticket online of ASI website.
How to Reach Ajanta Caves, Ajanta, Sillod Taluka, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India
Ajanta Caves is located in just 7 km from Ajanta village where thousands of tourist across the world visit. Thus it is very well connected with all major cities of Maharashtra via road, rail and air network. Ajanta is located just at just 94 km from Aurangabad, 425 km from Mumbai, 271 km from Nashik, 325 km from Pune, 105 km from Ellora Caves, 208 km from Shirdi, 300 km from Trimbak, 205 km from Ahmednagar, 169 km from Malegaon. From Ajanta, the nearest airport is in Aurangabad, at a distance of around 90 km and nearest railway station is in Jalgaon which is approximately 60 Kms away. So you can easily reach by train and flight.
