Ajanta Caves

Ajanta Caves are a series of 30 rock-cut Buddhist monuments in Maharashtra, India, dating from roughly the 2nd century BCE to about the 5th-6th centuries CE. The caves are renowned for their wall paintings, frescoes and well-preserved sculptural elements.

Visitors come to view large chaitya halls and monastic viharas decorated with narrative murals and figural paintings that illustrate Buddhist themes and Jataka tales. The paintings are concentrated in several major caves and are admired for their composition, pigment work and narrative detail.

The horseshoe-shaped cliff setting above a dry riverbed creates framed views into the painted interiors and encourages a sequential visit to the cave openings along the cliff face. Interpretive signage and protected walkways are provided to help preserve the fragile painted surfaces.

The caves were excavated and used as Buddhist monasteries and worship spaces from the early historic period through the classical era and were later abandoned; they were rediscovered in 1819 and have since been the focus of archaeological study and conservation efforts.

Ajanta lies in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India, set in a valley north-west of the city of Aurangabad and visited via a regional road network.

• Cave count and murals: The site includes 30 caves with extensive Buddhist murals and frescoes dating from as early as the 2nd century BCE through the 5th-6th centuries CE.

What to See #

• Caves (1-30): The monument group consists of 30 rock-cut caves arranged along a horseshoe-shaped cliff face, with chaitya halls and viharas housing sculptures and mural paintings.
• Valley setting and light: The caves are set in a river valley amphitheatre, which provides the natural light and sheltered setting important for the preservation of the wall paintings and frescoes.