How To Visit The Ajanta And Ellora Caves From Aurangabad – Complete Guide

India is surrounded by various timeless marvels and historical landmarks which will surely mesmerize you with its unique beauty and architecture. Ajanta and Ellora Caves are the most beautiful tourist attractions in the country situated in the captivating state of Maharashtra. Both of these caves are also recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites that have a perfect blend of spirituality, history, and art. If you’re willing to discover the beauty of these places then without any delay book all-inclusive Ajanta Ellora tour packages from a renowned travel agency.

While exploring these sightseeing attractions, you will get to understand the religious and cultural evolution of India representing the centuries-old history of the country. Remember that Aurangabad is the nearest location to both Ajanta and Ellora caves so it will be easier for you to book the tour package from this site. Aurangabad and these caves are well-connected via flights, rail, and roads which makes it a perfect opportunity to discover the unmatched beauty and heritage of the ancient sites. Discover the origin and the diversity of faith represented in the Ajanta and Ellora Caves to enjoy an unforgettable vacation experience.

Why Consider Visiting The Ajanta And Ellora Caves?

Ajanta Caves

Are you interested in knowing the rich history of India? Ajanta Caves opens doors for you to learn about the culture and heritage dating back to the 2nd century BCE. This cave was basically a Buddhist monastic complex where various artistic paintings had been carved in the hills of the captivating Sahyadri Range.

The exquisite sculptures and murals represent the Jataka Tales, the life of Buddha, and his teachings. While exploring this sightseeing attraction, you can discover 29 rock-cut caves where the intricate carvings inside depict the expansive influence of various dynasties such as Vakatakas, Satavahanas, and Chalukyas. All of these scenic caves often served as chaityas, prayer halls, and monasteries during the past centuries.

Topography and Beauty: The Ajanta Caves is located in the Aurangabad district which is just around 100 km from the main town. This is a major tourist attraction in the state of Maharashtra perched on the folds of the picturesque Sahyadri Range and Waghora River. Visitors can easily explore this site by hiring a car as the caves are well-connected by roads. Apart from being a major historical landmark, this place is also known for its natural beauty. Tourists visiting this site can enjoy a spiritual experience while being surrounded by a tranquil ambiance, lush greenery, and a horseshoe-shaped gorge.

Opening Hours and Ticket: The Ajanta Caves is open every day except Monday from 9 am to 5 pm. For entering the caves, Indian citizens have to pay a ticket value of Rs. 40 per person. The entry is free of cost for children below 15 years. This cost may increase to around Rs. 600 for foreign visitors.

Ellora Caves

If you’re visiting Ajanta Caves then your trip will be incomplete without discovering the alluring beauty of Ellora Caves. This cave is just 30 km from Ajanta which can be reached by tourists through various comfortable transportation options. The main attraction of Ellora is that it is considered a demonstration of religious harmony since the caves here are dedicated to various religions including Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. The timeline that you will get to witness while exploring the distinct caves here is between 6 to 10th centuries BCE.

During your visit to Ellora Caves, you must never forget to discover the unique charm and spiritual peace of the Kailasa Temple. It is basically a monolith structure which is carved in a single rock. This temple dedicated to lord Shiva also enables you to witness various sculptures and intricate paintings depicting the history of Hindu mythology. The stunning Jain Caves is another key attraction here that holds sculptures and carved columns indicating the Jain philosophies. You can book one of the exclusive Ajanta Ellora guided tours from a reputed travel agency today to discover both of these caves together conveniently.

Topography and Beauty: Ellora Caves is surrounded by the majestic low hills of the Deccan Plateau. The unique landscapes and tranquil surroundings add charm to this site where the carvings have been made in the Charanandri Hills. The main beauty of these caves is the unique architecture that reflects the diverse range of techniques and typologies. The monolithic structures, circumambulatory passageways, door frames, and free-standing temples, everything in this sightseeing attraction will amaze you and take you back to the rock-carving era of India.

Opening Hours and Ticket: The Ellora Caves is open for tourists from 6 am to 6 pm. However, you must avoid traveling here on Tuesdays as the cave remains closed on that day. The ticket price for Indian travellers to enter Ellora is Rs. 40, which is almost Rs. 600 for foreign tourists. Herein, you may have to pay additional charges for parking and carrying a video camera.

Best Time To Visit Ajanta And Ellora Caves

Before planning your archaeological journey from Aurangabad to Ajanta Ellora Caves, you must get a brief knowledge about the best time to visit these sightseeing attractions. As per the weather conditions, it can be stated that June to March is considered the ideal time for discovering the beauty of these caves.

The winter and monsoon seasons are perfect that will enable you to indulge in outdoor activities without interruptions. However, it is always advised to avoid planning the tour during the summer season as it can be quite difficult for you to explore the caves in scorching heat. This is why tourists often find it a little challenging to visit Ajanta and Ellora during April and May.

Transportation From Aurangabad To Ajanta And Ellora Caves

1. By Road

One of the most comfortable and scenic ways to reach Ajanta Ellora Caves from Aurangabad is by road. There are diverse networks of roads that are well-connected with both of these caves. You can either hire a car or opt for buses to reach the sightseeing attractions. Both privately owned and MSRTC-run buses are available for these routes.

Aurangabad to Ajanta: It may take you around 2 hr. 20 mins to reach Ajanta caves from Aurangabad by road via NH 753F. This route is not only convenient but also picturesque as it passes through various ancient temples and mesmerizing landscapes. If you travel by bus then the average cost can be around Rs. 500-4500 per person based on availability and bus type. The cost can be extremely low if you use non-AC government buses. Herein, you can also contact a car rental agency from where you can rent a private vehicle within Rs. 2500 to enjoy a comfortable and flexible road trip to the Ajanta Caves.

Aurangabad to Ellora: As compared to Ajanta, the Ellora Caves are more accessible from Aurangabad since it is just 31.5 km from the main town. While traveling by road, it will take almost 57 min to reach the caves via Aurangabad – Malegaon Rd/Aurangabad – Nandgaon Rd/Aurangabad – Nashik Hwy/Dhule – Solapur Rd and NH 752H. Based on the road conditions and personal preferences, you can also consider traveling via the NH 52 route but it may take extra 5-10 mins to reach the location. The bus ticket fare to reach Ellora is around Rs. 550, whereas hiring a car may cost you almost Rs. 1500-1800. If you’re looking for an affordable option then you can also opt for private taxis.

2. By Air

There is no flight running between Aurangabad and Ajanta Ellora Caves. However, if you’re willing to travel by air then you can take a flight to the Aurangabad Airport which is the nearest airport from these caves. You must know that this airport gets domestic flights every day from various locations including Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur.

However, after reaching the airport, you need to use local transportation or hire private taxis to reach the desired location. The time to reach Ajanta and Ellora caves from the airport is 2 hr. 25 mins and 1 hr. 3 mins respectively. It is always advised to rent the car from the airport in advance to avoid last-minute availability issues. This is especially an important step if you’re traveling during the peak season.

3. By Train

While booking one of the best Ajanta Ellora tour packages, you must also remember that it is possible for you to travel to the caves by train from Aurangabad. There are many trains running from the Ayodhya Nagari Railway Station in Padampura. These trains mainly run during the afternoon hours which will help you reach the Ellora Caves within 1 hr. 30 mins.

However, from the station near the Ellora Caves, you may have to walk 7-10 minutes to reach the main attraction. Similarly, to reach Ajanta Caves from Aurangabad by train you can board a train from the Aurangabad Station. However, you must note that this train only runs once daily till Pachora Junction. From this junction, you have to hire a taxi or car to reach the caves within an hour.

Travel Tips You Must Note While Planning The Trip

Weather conditions:

The weather of Maharashtra is quite diverse as the entire state experiences a tropical monsoon climate. This indicates cool winters, heavy rainfall, and hot summers. This is why it is vital for you to check the weather conditions before planning the trip to Ajanta Ellora caves from Aurangabad.

Remember that sightseeing can become quite difficult if you plan the trip during a rainy day or during summers with strong heat waves. Considerably, the autumn and spring months can be awesome for the trip as the chances of rainfall are reduced during this time, and you also won’t be experiencing chilly winter cold.

Entry timings:

Another important tip that you must follow while planning the trip is the entry timings. As you already know Ajanta Caves is closed on Mondays and Ellora is closed on Tuesdays. If you want to cover both of these places on a single day then avoid planning the trip on Mondays and Tuesdays.

You must know that the weekends can also be quite crowded with tourists here which may create difficulties in viewing the caves nicely. Henceforth, for an immersive sightseeing experience in these caves, consider traveling between Wednesday and Saturday. It is also recommended to choose the early morning hours for the trip as the caves in broad daylight with fewer crowds look stunning.

Guided trips:

To make the most of your Ajanta Ellora Caves trip, it is advised to book a guided trip. Herein, while booking a tour package from a renowned agency, you can mention a local guide who can assist you during the sightseeing tours. This is an important step to enjoy the trip while getting accurate insights about the architecture, significance, and history of each cave.

You must know that hiring guides will also make the sightseeing time cost-effective since they will guide you to explore all the worth-visiting caves. There are almost 30 caves in Ajanta and 34 caves in Ellora, hence exploring all of them in one single trip is not possible. The local guides can enable you to select the best caves so that your trip can become unforgettable.

Top Things To Do After Reaching Ajanta And Ellora Caves

Enjoy the Ajanta and Ellora Festival: For a remarkable vacation experience, you must plan the trip from Aurangabad to Ajanta and Ellora Caves during the Ajanta and Ellora Festival. This is an age-old festival representing the authentic art and culture of the region. This 3-day festival celebrated with huge grandeur is perfect for witnessing Odyssey and Kathak dance performances, bhajans, game competitions, and instrumental plays.

Shop from the local markets: After you have completed the cave tour, you can discover the vibrant lanes of the open-air markets. These marketplaces run by local people are ideal for buying some traditional souvenirs. Starting from paintings and ornaments to handicrafts and sculptures, you can find various items in the markets at affordable rates. There is also a beautifully decorated shopping plaza near the Ajanta caves which you can explore for an amazing experience.

Discover rich Buddhist culture: Another thing that you must do during your Ajanta Ellora Caves trip is delve into the rich Buddhist culture. All the 29 caves in Ajanta reflect intricate paintings, sculptures, and carvings that can help you understand the teachings and philosophies of Lord Buddha dated back to the 2nd century BC.

Visit the Hindu temples: Your Ajanta Ellora Cave tour will be incomplete if you don’t cherish the beauty and spirituality of the pictorial Hindu temples. The Grishneshwar and Kailash temples are the two most prominent Hindu temples situated in Ellora caves that you must visit to seek blessings from Lord Shiva.

Trek to the Daulatabad Fort: Along with discovering the charm and alluring beauty of the Ellora Caves, you can also satisfy your adventurous soul by planning a trek to the Daulatabad Fort. This fort is just 20 minutes away from Ellora, where a trek towards this fort will offer you expansive vistas of the surrounding hills and lush green landscapes.

Whether you’re a history buff, spiritual seeker, or art enthusiast, booking Ajanta Ellora tour packages will promise you an unforgettable and immersive experience. Both these caves can be travelled from Aurangabad by train and car comfortably which will enable you to build a deeper connection with the rich cultural heritage, history, and religious significance of India.