Situated in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, Ajanta has acquired world renown for its famed paintings. The caves of Ajanta provided the canvas for innumerable paintings, not by Buddhist monks as is commonly believed, but by highly trained members of guilds of artists under monastic and royal patronage.

Ajanta paintings - the brilliant union between sacred and secular art
Beginning in the 2nd century BC, and continuing for 900 years, twenty-six caves were chipped out of a horseshoe shaped cliff. The paintings at Ajanta flow into one another, forming an endless kaleidoscope of colour and motion. Although the Jataka tales from the main theme of the paintings, also depicted are scenes from contemporary courtly life. The large individual figures painted with an eye for colour and detail, attract attention. The best paintings are in cave numbers 1, 2, 16, 17 and 19; and the best sculptures are in cave numbers 4, 17, 19 and 26.

A visit to Ajanta in incomplete without visiting the nearby caves at Ellora. Starting from the 7th century AD, Ellora carried on the great legacy of Ajanta and was subject to Buddhist and later Hindu and Jain influences. The sculptures at Ellora are massive in form though they continue to reflect the fluidity of the Ajanta sculptures. There are twelve Buddhist caves in all and the entire spectrum of carvings pulsates with life and energy. The famous rock-cut Hindu temple of Kailasanath is in Ellora.

Aurangabad provides a base for visiting the caves of Ajanta, 100 kms and Ellora 30 kms away. Indian Airlines connects Aurangabad with Mumbai and Delhi.