The artistic skill behind the cave paintings and sculptures
of Buddhist religion at the world heritage site of Ajanta
Caves in India has inspired generations of artists since its
discovery in 1819. You too can explore the magic of Buddhist
artistry on your tour to Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra, which
is also a popular tourist destination with Tourism of Central
India specialized travel packages.
These classic caves were discovered by a group of wandering
British Officers in much the style of the Cavalry that found
the city of Hamumptra in the film Mummy. Contrary to the film,
the discovery of these unknown caves on the horseshoe shaped
cliff over the Waghoda River, opened unread chapters
of Buddhism in India so that you can visit the caves and learn
from the lessons inscribed on the walls in cryptic and straight
forward imagery and sculptures, on your tour to Ajanta arranged
by Tourism of Central India.
There are 30 caves in total of which a few are in
an unfinished state. These caves were built in two distinct
phases (with distinct Buddhist ideologies) spread apart by
400 years and inhabited from 200 BC to 650 AD. While the five
chaityas (praying halls) were where the Buddhist monks
prayed the remaining caves functioned as Viharas (monasteries).
You can see a clear distinction between the caves built in
the first phase from those built in the second phase on your
tour to Ajanta Caves.
Caves created in the first phase of construction, which dates
back to 2nd and 1st BC, correspond to the Hinayana school
of Buddhism where Buddha was represented symbolically as a
lotus, a set of footprints etc similar to those found at the
Great Stupa, Sanchi. The prominent caves sculptured in accordance
to the Hinayana school of Buddhism are the caves numbered
9, 10 (chaityas) and 8, 12,13, 15 (viharas).
The second phase of caves were created under the Guptas (from
475 to 500 AD) and correspond to the Mahayana school of
Buddhism where the artists didn't shy off from depicting
Buddha as a human figure. The prominent caves under Mahayana
Buddhist ideology include 1,2,6,17 (viharas) and 19,26 (chaityas).
The caves can be easily traversed via the terraced path,
a modern construction to facilitate the ease of tourists.
The paintings and sculptures are drawn from the life of Buddha,
his teachings, the Jatakas, and the daily routine of monks
dwelling in the monasteries. You can easily see all the caves,
open to tourist from 9 am to 5:30 pm, on your tour to Ajanta
Caves on the specialized travel packages offered by Tourism
of Central India.
Aurangabad is the closest city to Ajanta Caves that
is well connected by air, rail and road to the major cities
and towns in Maharashtra and India.
Tourism of Central India offers specialized tour booking,
and travel packages for Ajanta, Maharashtra. To book your
tour, or for more information, please fill the form below.
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