Ajanta & Ellora Caves Travel Guide: History, Timings & Tips

Why Ajanta & Ellora?

Roughly 100 km apart in the Deccan plateau near what is now Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad), two cave complexes together form one of the most complete records of ancient Indian religious art and engineering anywhere in the world. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, both were carved directly out of volcanic basalt rock over centuries, and both were, for long stretches of history, essentially forgotten — Ajanta was only rediscovered in 1819 by a British officer out tiger hunting, who stumbled on the horseshoe-shaped gorge and the cave mouths cut into its cliff face.

Ajanta Caves are older and almost entirely Buddhist — 30 caves cut between the 2nd century BCE and 6th century CE, famous above all for their fresco paintings, among the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian painting anywhere. Ellora Caves are younger (6th–10th century CE) and deliberately mixed — Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monastic complexes carved side by side, a rare physical record of religious coexistence. Ellora's showpiece is the Kailasa Temple, Cave 16, excavated top-down out of a single rock face and still one of the largest monolithic structures on Earth.

Together they're not a quick stop — expect to give each site the better part of a day, ideally on separate days, with the city formerly known as Aurangabad as your base.

Best Time to Visit

Both sites involve hours of walking, climbing stairs cut into rock, and standing in open courtyards, so weather matters more than it might for an indoor museum.

Our pick: December to February. Cool mornings mean you can start early at Ajanta before the shuttle bus queues build up, and comfortably spend a full afternoon walking the length of Ellora's cave line.

How to Reach Ajanta & Ellora

Almost every visitor bases themselves in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad), the nearest city with real airport and rail connectivity to both sites.

• By Air: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Airport (IXU) has direct flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, and Hyderabad — by far the easiest way in.
• By Train: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar railway station is well connected to Mumbai, Pune, and other major cities.
• To Ellora: About a 30-minute drive from the city — easily reached by taxi, rented car, or a shared tour.
• To Ajanta: Roughly a 2-hour drive. Private vehicles are stopped at Fardapur (or the designated T-junction) and visitors switch to a mandatory shuttle bus for the final stretch — a rule put in place to limit vehicle pollution near the paintings.

Ajanta Caves

• The frescoes: Ajanta's real claim to fame — painted narrative scenes from the Jataka tales (stories of the Buddha's past lives), remarkably preserved across some caves given their age, and considered among the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian painting.
• The setting: All 30 caves are cut into the inner face of a horseshoe-shaped gorge above the Waghur river — the viewpoint across the gorge from the entrance path is worth the walk on its own.
• Chaitya halls & viharas: A mix of prayer halls (chaityas) with carved stupas and monastic living quarters (viharas), showing how the site functioned as a working Buddhist monastic community, not just a shrine.
• Photography rules: Flash photography is prohibited near the paintings to prevent further fading — bring a torch if you want to actually see detail in the dimmer caves.

Ellora Caves

• Kailasa Temple (Cave 16): The centerpiece — a full temple complex excavated top-down out of a single continuous basalt rock face to resemble Mount Kailash, an estimated 200,000 tonnes of stone removed by hand over decades. It's one of the largest monolithic rock-cut structures in the world.
• Buddhist caves (1–12): The oldest group, mostly monasteries and prayer halls, generally simpler than the Hindu caves that follow.
• Hindu caves (13–29): Including Kailasa Temple, dedicated primarily to Shiva, with elaborate carved narrative panels from Hindu mythology.
• Jain caves (30–34): The last group chronologically, smaller in scale but intricately carved, at the northern end of the site — placed side-by-side with the Buddhist and Hindu caves as a striking record of religious coexistence.

Where to Stay

Nearly everyone stays in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, which has the widest range of options and is a manageable drive from both sites.

What to Eat

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar's food reflects its Nizami and Marathwada influences — expect a heavier, spicier hand than coastal Maharashtra.

• Naan Qalia: A local mutton curry served with tandoor-baked naan — the city's signature dish.
• Aurangabadi Biryani: A Nizami-influenced biryani style distinct from Hyderabadi biryani, worth seeking out at long-running local joints.
• Thalis: Simple Marathwada vegetarian thalis are widely available and a reliable, filling option between cave visits.
• Roadside stalls near Ellora: Basic but decent chai and snack stalls cluster near the Ellora entrance for a quick break between caves.

2-Day Ajanta & Ellora Itinerary

Two full days, one site each, based out of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

Budget Breakdown

* Excludes flights/trains to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Entry fees are approximate — confirm current ASI rates locally before you go.

Essential Travel Tips

• Verify closure days before you go: Ajanta is traditionally closed Mondays and Ellora Tuesdays, but confirm current ASI schedules ahead of your trip.
• Hire an ASI-approved guide: The Jataka tale paintings at Ajanta and the layered history at Ellora are much richer with context than a solo walk-through.
• No flash photography near the paintings: Carry a small torch instead to actually see fresco detail in dimmer caves.
• Wear real walking shoes: Both sites involve significant stairs and uneven stone paths.
• Start early in warmer months: Outside Nov–Mar, aim to be at either site by opening time and finish before the worst midday heat.
• Budget a full day per site: Don't try to combine both in one day — the Ajanta shuttle bus alone eats up significant time.

Frequently Asked Questions