Ajanta Ellora Caves ... Ancient repository of Indian architectural heritage
Aurangabad
Aurangabad laid low through most of the tumultuous history of medieval India and only hit the spotlight when the last Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb, made the city his capital from 1653 to 1707. With the emperor’s death came the city’s rapid decline, but the brief period of glory saw the building of some fascinating monuments, including Bibi-qa-Maqbara, a Taj Mahal replica, and these continue to draw a steady trickle of visitors. Alongside other historic relics, such as a group of ancient Buddhist caves, these Mughal relics make Aurangabad a good choice for a weekend excursion from Mumbai. But the real reason for traipsing here is because the town is an excellent base for exploring the World Heritage Sites of Ellora and Ajanta.
Ajanta Caves
Superbly set in a remote river valley 105km northeast of Aurangabad, the remarkable cave temples of Ajanta are this region’s second World Heritage Site. Much older than Ellora, these secluded caves date from around the 2nd century BC to the 6th century AD and were among the earliest monastic institutions to be constructed in the country. Ironically, it was Ellora’s rise that brought about Ajanta’s downfall and historians believe the site was abandoned once the focus shifted to Ellora.
As the Deccan forest claimed and shielded the caves, with roots and shoots choking the sculptures, Ajanta remained deserted for about a millennium, until 1819 when a British hunting party led by officer John Smith stumbled upon it purely by chance.
Ellora Caves
Give a man a hammer and chisel and he’ll create art for posterity. Come to the Unesco World Heritage Site Ellora cave temples, located 30km from Aurangabad, and you’ll know exactly what we mean. The epitome of ancient Indian rock-cut architecture, these caves were chipped out laboriously over five centuries by generations of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monks. Monasteries, chapels, temples – the caves served every purpose and they were stylishly embellished with a profusion of remarkably detailed sculptures.
Undoubtedly Ellora's shining moment is the awesome Kailasa Temple (Cave 16), the world’s largest monolithic sculpture, hewn top to bottom against a rocky slope by 7000 labourers over a period of 150 years. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is clearly among the best that ancient Indian architecture has to offer.
Ajanta Caves Closed on Every Monday & Ellora Caves Closed on Every Tuesday]
Photos
Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival Aurangabad / Sightseeing of Ajanta Caves
Upon arrival at Aurangabad airport, meet & greet by our representative, Transfer to hotel for check in
Later visit Ajanta Caves for sightseeing
Ajanta Caves
Superbly set in a remote river valley 105km northeast of Aurangabad, the remarkable cave temples of Ajanta are this region�s second World Heritage Site. Much older than Ellora, these secluded caves date from around the 2nd century BC to the 6th century AD and were among the earliest monastic institutions to be constructed in the country. Ironically, it was Ellora�s rise that brought about Ajanta�s downfall and historians believe the site was abandoned once the focus shifted to Ellora.
Overnight at Aurangabad - Day 2
Aurangabad / Sightseeing of Ellora Caves
Today visit Ellora Caves
Ellora Caves - Give a man a hammer and chisel and he�ll create art for posterity. Come to the Unesco World Heritage Site Ellora cave temples, located 30km from Aurangabad, and you�ll know exactly what we mean. The epitome of ancient Indian rock-cut architecture, these caves were chipped out laboriously over five centuries by generations of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monks. Monasteries, chapels, temples � the caves served every purpose and they were stylishly embellished with a profusion of remarkably detailed sculptures.
Undoubtedly Ellora's shining moment is the awesome Kailasa Temple (Cave 16), the world�s largest monolithic sculpture, hewn top to bottom against a rocky slope by 7000 labourers over a period of 150 years. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is clearly among the best that ancient Indian architecture has to offer.
Overnight at Aurangabad - Day 3
Aurangabad sightseeing / Departure drop
Day at leisure for local sightseeing of Aurangabad. Time permitting below places of sightseeings can also be covered on Day 1 & 2 ...
Aurangabad Caves
Architecturally speaking, the Aurangabad Caves aren�t a patch on Ellora or Ajanta, but they do shed light on early Buddhist architecture and make for a quiet and peaceful outing. Carved out of the hillside in the 6th or 7th century AD, the 10 caves, comprising two groups 1km apart, are all Buddhist. Cave 7, with its sculptures of scantily clad lovers in suggestive positions, is a perennial favourite.
Panchakki
The garden complex of Panchakki, literally meaning �water wheel�, takes its name from the ancient hydromill which, in its day, was considered a marvel of engineering. It�s still in working condition but is today really only of minor interest.
Baba Shah Muzaffar, a Sufi saint and spiritual guide to Aurangzeb, is buried here. His memorial garden, flanked by a series of fish-filled tanks, is at the rear of the complex.
Daulatabad Fort
No trip to Aurangabad is complete without a pit stop at the ruined but truly magnificent hilltop fortress of Daulatabad, about 15km away from town en route to Ellora, which sits atop a 200m-high craggy outcrop known as Devagiri (Hill of the Gods). A 5km battlement surrounds this ancient fort, a most beguiling structure built by the Yadava kings through the 12th century and originally conceived as an impregnable fort.
Bibi Ka Maqbara
Built by Aurangzeb�s son Azam Khan in 1679 as a mausoleum for his mother Rabia-ud-Daurani, Bibi-ka-Maqbara is widely known as the poor man�s Taj. With its four minarets flanking a central onion-domed mausoleum, the white structure certainly does bear a striking resemblance to Agra�s Taj Mahal.
Later in the evening drop to Aurangabad airport for onward flight
Notes
Round the Year Destination ... Extention available to Shirdi, Bhimashankar Temple, Trimbakeshwar Temple, Shani Shingnapur Temple and Nashik
Hotels
Tour Inclusions [Ajanta Ellora]
2 nights accommodation at finest hotel
3 days transportation by AC vehicle including Toll tax, Parking, Fuel Charges & Driver allowance
Buffet breakfast at the hotel
Sightseeing entrance fees at all destinations as mentioned in itinerary
Service of our local English speaking guide during sightseeing - 3 days
Notes on itinerary
All our itineraries are "Just for Ideas" ... We will get to know you and customise an itinerary just for you that matches your requirements ... dates of travel, category of hotels, preferred airline, flexibility in choosing sightseeing, mode of travel between cities, etc.
Many of our clients have us design more relaxing, slower paced holidays with more in-depth experiences whereas some simply want to visit various destinations and cover only the highlights.
Together, we will determine the ideal route, pace of travel, accommodations, levels of pampering, style of touring, sightseeing to be included, dining preferences, adventure levels, options to meet locals, dates of travel & much more ! and based on this arrive at a price.
Do feel free to get in touch with us by a quick call on +91 79 29602961 or a short mail on mail@destinations4india.com ... Looking forward
