Ajanta Caves: A Comprehensive Guide to India’s Ancient Wonders

This guide covers everything you need to know for a trip to Ajanta Caves! Learn how to plan your trip, what to expect, highlights of the caves, and nearby attractions including Ellora Caves.

The Ajanta Caves are an absolutely incredible place to explore! They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an experience like nothing else. The architecture is impressive and they are full of ancient Indian artworks!

This guide is meant to help travelers plan their trip to Ajanta Caves. Learn a bit about what makes them special, how to get there and tips for planning your trip. You can also see which caves are an absolute must-see and what to expect while you’re there.

Before I moved to Mumbai, I had never heard of Ajanta and Ellora Caves. That’s why it actually feels like some secret destination, but I don’t know why it’s not more popular! It’s absolutely stunning and I’d highly recommend anyone in India to take the trip and explore the caves. It’s easily one of my favorite destinations in Maharashtra.

Whether you’re a history buff, an art enthusiast, or simply a traveler looking to go off the beaten bath, the Ajanta Caves are absolutely worth the visit!

This post is all about Ajanta Caves.

Ajanta Caves History: Why is it special?

The Ajanta Caves are located in Maharashtra, India, near a city called Aurangabad. They are a really remarkable complex of 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves. They are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are really a hidden gem for travelers to experience in India!

The caves were built in two different phases, starting from around the 2nd century BCE. Later, more caves were added around 5th and 6th centuries AD which were more decorated and complex than the original ones. The caves were used as refuge for monks and also include prayer halls and monasteries. 

What makes the Ajanta Caves so famous is their mural paintings inside the caves. The walls, ceilings and pillars of some caves are covered with paintings and they are some of the best surviving pieces of ancient Indian art. Alongwith the impressive architecture, it’s really incredible to see such a unique glimpse into the past people who lived there! 

The Ajanta caves were abandoned by the 7th century and later found by Britishers in the 1800s. Since then, it’s developed into an important historical and cultural site. Many historians, art enthusiasts and tourists travel each year to see them!

Planning Your Trip to Ajanta Caves

Best Time to Visit Ajanta Caves

The best time to visit the Ajanta Caves is in the winter, between November to early March. It’s the ideal weather and coolest time of the year so it’s the most comfortable to be exploring outdoors. Generally during the day it’s around 25°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F), but cooler at night and in the mornings.

June through September is Monsoon season so I wouldn’t recommend traveling then. It will rain every day and if by chance there’s some really heavy rains, it can make traveling to and from the caves very difficult. If you do go then, you need to be fully prepared with umbrellas and rain gear otherwise expect to get soaked!

I would also avoid going in the summer months between March-June. It starts getting very hot in late march. April and May are awfully hot and sunny, then monsoon comes in June. I’m pretty good at dealing with the heat, but it’s really not enjoyable this time of year and can frankly ruin the experience.

No matter what time of year you actually end up going, I’d suggest going in the mornings and on weekdays if possible to avoid the major tourist crowds.

How to Reach Ajanta Caves

One important thing to mention is that most people stay in Aurangabad and then take a day trip to Ajanta Caves which is about 2 hours away by car. Aurangabad is the closest nearby city with many options for hotels and food, and it’s very easy to arrange a taxi to the caves once you’re there (it’s about 2000 INR or $25 USD one way). 

I would highly recommend that once you get to Aurangabad, you can hire a taxi. It’s also common to combine the trip with Ellora Caves which is about 1.5-2 hours away by car, so having a driver makes it easy to visit whatever places you want and go on your own schedule.

By Plane

The nearest airport to the Ajanta Caves is the Aurangabad Airport. It is well-connected to major cities in India like Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. Once in Aurangabad, you can get a taxi to drive there.

By Train

You can take trains from major cities like Mumbai and Delhi to Arungabad. Jalgaon is also a station that’s closer to Ajanta than Arungabad, but you will still need to hire a cab when you reach.

By Bus

There are frequent buses that run between Aurungabad and Ajanta Caves. The bus ride is 2-3 hours long. It’s a much cheaper option than hiring a taxi, although as someone who isn’t an expert in navigating the bus systems in India, it’s a little confusing to figure out.

Ajanta Caves Timings & Entry Fee

The Ajanta Caves are open from 9:00-5:00pm. They are closed on Mondays! For Indians, it’s 40 INR and for foreigners travelers its 600 INR ($7 USD). Any child under 15 can enter for free. You can just arrive and get a ticket at the entrance.

They also list extra charges for cameras, but you don’t actually have to pay that. Just don’t mention it and you can freely take photos with your phone or camera. Maybe if you have a full professional set up with tripods it would be different, but I’m not totally sure!

Ajanta Caves Hotels

You can find a wide variety of stays in Aurangabad. They have cheap options for travelers on a budget and also really nice resorts for people who want a more luxurious stay. We stayed at the Fern Residency which was a little on the pricier side but nice. It really depends on how much money you want to spend!

You can also find options in some of the small towns around Ajanta. They will be cheaper but just be prepared they will be very basic accommodations. If you’re a low-maintenance type of traveler, then it’s totally fine!

What to Wear to Ajanta Caves (and Packing Tips!)

There isn’t any particular dress code for the Ajanta Caves. My best advice is to dress for the weather! Most likely it’ll feel hot when you travel so light clothing is nice, you can also bring sunglasses or a hat. You’ll definitely want good shoes to walk in as well.

Typical of any place you travel in India, you’ll want to dress a bit more modestly than in western countries. I wouldn’t recommend short shorts and low-cut shirt for ladies. Some paints and a tank top are completely fine though, or a longer dress. For more detailed tips, check out What to Wear in India: A Comprehensive Guide for Travelers.

I would recommend bringing a small backpack to carry water, some money and whatever other small accessories you might want. You’ll be outside so I’d also recommend sunscreen. I always pack some snacks too, especially for the drive.

Visiting Ajanta Caves

Exploring By Yourself VS Guided Tours

There’s a map at the entrance of the caves (or you could just Google), but the caves are numbered and situated along a horse-shoe shaped path. They are numbered from 1-30, but they aren’t in a linear sequence to follow when you’re actually walking. There’s a well-paved path to follow though. Expect to spend about 2-3 hours exploring!

If you’re really interested in learning more about the history and culture of the Ajanta Caves, then you can hire someone to lead you on a guided tour. There are many private tour companies to choose from. If you’re staying in Aurangabad, I’d recommend asking your hotel as they will usually have a connection and it’s easy to plan then.

I never paid for a guided tour when I went, but I did google about different caves as I was walking through so I could learn a bit. I generally am someone who prefers to travel without a guide so I can go at my own pace and time. But it’s really a matter of personal preference and what you would like to get out of the experience, I’m sure you would learn a lot more with a guide!

Trip Highlights: Must-See Paintings & Stops

The most impressive aspects of the Ajanta Caves are the architecture and paintings. The art shows all kinds of scenes from religious stories to everyday life, so it’s an incredibly neat way to learn about the culture and society of that time.

You can also stop at the Ajanta ViewPoint before or after you visit the caves. It’s across the river from the caves and gives you a panoramic view which is really beautiful. It’s a separate from the main entrance but it’s a quick stop and worth seeing!

Cave 1

Cave 1 near the main entrance and is probably the most famous cave. It has some of the best-preserved paintings, including the murals of Bodhisattva Padmapani and Bodhisattva Vajrapani. The architecture is also really stunning and full of intricate carvings.

Cave 2

Cave 2 is next to cave 1 and has beautifully painted ceilings and walls. The paintings here show various Buddhist deities and Jataka tales which are stories about the previous lives of Buddha.

Cave 16

Cave 16 is famous for its inscriptions and paintings. There’s a famous mural that shows the story of Princess Sundari who renounced the world after hearing about her husband’s death in battle. The cave has a large courtyard and the artwork is unique.

Cave 17

Cave 17 is near to cave 16 and is one of the most elaborately painted caves. It has several well-preserved murals from Budddha’s life. There’s a lot of vivid colors and it’s definitely a must-see for art lovers.

Cave 26

Cave 26 is an impressive chatiya hall, which is like a prayer hall. It has a large sculpture of Buddha in a reclining pose which is considered to represent the moment of his death and liberation. The cave is impressive and has a high dome ceiling which adds to the beauty of the cave.

Recommended Itinerary for Ajanta Caves (and Ellora Caves)

I would recommend staying in Aurangabad and giving yourself at least 2 full days there. Spend one day going to Ajanta Caves, which will be about a 2 hour drive each way. Spend the other day going to visit Ellora Caves, which is about 30-45 minutes from Aurungabad. 

It is possible to do both the Ajanta and Ellora Caves in one day and you’ll find tours to do that, but I think it’s more enjoyable to break it up. There’s a lot of walking and it’s a better experience to go at your own pace without feeling rushed.

Nearby Places to Visit

Ellora Caves – This is a MUST!

The Ellora Caves are another UNESCO World Heritage Site near the Ajanta Caves. They are actually more famous and popular, but most travelers will visit both sites if they are in the area because they are so near each other.

The Ellora Caves are also rock-cut caves. They are more famous for their incredible architecture, while Ajanta caves are more known for their paintings. The highlight of Ellora is the Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) which is the world’s largest monolithic structure carved from a single rock. It’s really impressive among many other stunning caves there!

If you have the extra time in Aurangabad, here are some nearby attractions that are worth mentioning.

Daulatabad Fort

Daulatabad Fort was from the 14th century and is really neat to check out and explore. It’s an interesting peek into the history there and a nice way to spend extra time in Aurangabad.

Bibi Ka Maqbara

Bibi Ka Maqbara is known as the “Mini Taj Mahal” of Aurangabad. It was built in the 17th century by Aurangzeb’s son in memory of his mother. It’s a beautiful example of Mughal architecture.

Panchakki (Water Mill)

This is an ingeniously designed water mill from the medieval period. It’s known for its underground water channel which powers the mill and was originally built to grind grain for pilgrims. It could be a quick place to visit and see while in Aurangabad if you’re interested.

Aurangabad Caves

If you’ve seen the Ajanta and Ellora caves, then the Aurangabad Caves won’t be too impressive. But they are still a nice place to explore if you have an interest. There are 12 caves with the similar rock-cut style used by Buddhists.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

The Grishneshwar Temple is near to the Ellora Caves. It’s one of twelve very special temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, according to a sacred Hindu text called the Shiva Purana. It’s an important place for people who worship Shiva, a major Hindu deity. This temple is well-known for its stunning architecture and its spiritual importance, so many pilgrims travel here.

Have you traveled to Ajanta Caves? If so, I’d love to hear about your trip highlights! If you’re planning a trip, you can also leave a comment with any questions!

This post was all about Ajanta Caves.