One of the UNESCO sites in terms of monumental history and artifacts, Ajanta-Ellora Caves stands tall against the tide of time. I can say I have a lot of time to spare for these two marvels and lots to explore. You need two days to be here to explore these caves fully. Yes, there’s structural repetition, and all seem similar after some time, while a historian will understand the differences between shelters, whereas an ordinary man would generalize the same. Nevertheless, it’s a one-time must-visit place with mostly marks of Buddhism and how monks remained in caves and imparted knowledge in the olden days. Plus, you can trek to nearby forests just after the rains. Bibi ka Muqbara is another highlight that closely resembles the Taj Mahal in Agra.
Six great reasons why you must visit Ajanta/Ellora Caves:
- The Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, have some exquisite paintings inside caves that depict Buddhist religious art and Buddha life. The Caves consist of five chaityas or prayer halls. Other caves are known as Viharas, which were meant for residents.
- Devagiri, a town about 11 km from Aurangabad, houses the famous 12th-century Daulatabad Fort on a 200 m high hillock. Aurangabad is obvious once you get to the top by climbing 800 odd steps.
- Bibi-ka-Makbara is the prime tourist attraction of Aurangabad, which is the grave of Rabia-ul-Daurani, the wife of the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb.
- Soneri Mahal organizes a dance and music festival annually, showcasing performances of famous artists like Zakir Hussain, Ghulam Ali, Hari Haran, and Hema Malini.
Location: Aurangabad is 350 km east of Mumbai and 250 km east of Pune.
Tourist Attraction on the spot:
Ajanta and Ellora Caves,Bibi ka muqbara
Tourist Attraction in Vicinity:
You can visit Chikhaldara, Bhandardara hill stations, Shirdi Sai, Nagpur, Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar, and Kaas.
Distance Charts:(Aurangabad)
- Ajanta Caves(100 km)
- Ellora Caves(30 km)
- Mumbai(340 km)
- Pune(240 km)
- Hyderabad(560 km)
- Cochin(1370 km)
- Mysuru(1010 km)
- Chennai(1200 km)
- Bangalore(930 km)
- Rameswaram(1540 km)
- Kanyakumari(1600 km)
- Delhi(1250 km)
How to Reach Ajanta/Ellora Caves :
Road Routes:
Mumbai/Pune-Shirur-Ahmednagar-Aurangabad(also Nashik-Kopargaon route is possible)-Ellora Caves-Bibi ka Mukbara-100 km-Ajanta Caves,
IMPORTANT NOTE FROM MY EXPERIENCE:
1) To see caves and forests around, avoid the rainy season, come here after September month.
2)Have two days in hand to see these caves. These caves are spread over a vast area in huge numbers. Plus, Ajanta Caves is approximately 4 hr drive from Aurangabad. So start early by 6 am, reach before 10 am, give 4-5 hours in cave sightseeing, and then return.
3)You can get a shared bus for under INR 50 within the cave region to take you to the cave site-do. Take that! You’ll already walk so much in the caves area-don’t unnecessarily burn your energy out!
4) Don’t miss the mini Taj Mahal-Bibi ka Muqbara in Aurangabad-superb in ambiance and architecture.
RAIL: Aurangabad/Jalgaon railway stations are the nearest ones.
AIR: Aurangabad has its own airport .
ROAD: Aurangabad is well connected to cities like Nagpur, Pune, Mumbai, and Nashik, and roads are pretty good with more minor portions of bad patches. MSRTC buses ply quite in number-that shall be of immense help.
Map:
Time to Visit:
October to March is an excellent time to be here.
Spend Time With:
Friends, Groups, Couple, Family
Food and Lodging:
Hotels are mainly in Aurangabad at reasonable prices-any. Booking won’t be required as such. This will be the focal point around which the tour will happen. Food options are pretty much out there, but when you go out on the trip to caves, have a bottle of water and some snacks with you!
Expense:
A 2 day trip to Ajanta and Ellora Caves:
Food: INR 100/person/day(3 times a day)X2
Transport: INR 350 for all the three places-Bibi ka Mukbara by shared auto; Ajanta Ellora caves by state transport
Lodging: INR 600/day X2
Entry Fees: INR 150, including camera charges(not mobile phones)
Total: 2300 INR
Nearby Attractions(Aurangabad)
- Ajanta Caves(100 km)
- Ellora Caves(30 km)
- Mumbai(340 km)
- Pune(240 km)
- Hyderabad(560 km)
- Nanded(260 km)
- Chikhladara(360 km)
