| Ajanta Caves Excursion 18 January 2008 |
In the early morning we checked out of the Hotel Sai Residency and moved into the nearby
Nandavan Hotel, had breakfast at the Kailash Restaurant, and at 8:45am were picked up at
our new Nandavan hotel for the excursion to the Ajanta Caves, about 100km (60 miles)
away.
Nandavan Hotel, had breakfast at the Kailash Restaurant, and at 8:45am were picked up at
our new Nandavan hotel for the excursion to the Ajanta Caves, about 100km (60 miles)
away.
At about 10:30am we arrived at
Fardapur, where we transferred to
a "green bus" for the remaining
6km (4 miles) to the entrance to
the Ajanta Caves. We are not sure
whether "green" refers to the bus'
paint job or to its ecological status.
We paid the US$5 entrance fee
not included in Classic Tours'
excursion price.
Fardapur, where we transferred to
a "green bus" for the remaining
6km (4 miles) to the entrance to
the Ajanta Caves. We are not sure
whether "green" refers to the bus'
paint job or to its ecological status.
We paid the US$5 entrance fee
not included in Classic Tours'
excursion price.
At Ajanta a U-shaped curve of the Waghore River had eroded the adjoining plateau to
create a long curved cliff. From 200 BC to 650 AD Buddhists excavated about 30 caves
into the face of that cliff to create a series of temples containing magnificent religious
statuary and painted murals, much of it still in surprisingly good condition. A beautiful and
impressive sight. We enjoyed visiting the caves; for the first few we were accompanied by
our guide who spoke English with such a strong accent that we viewed the rest of the caves
on our own.
create a long curved cliff. From 200 BC to 650 AD Buddhists excavated about 30 caves
into the face of that cliff to create a series of temples containing magnificent religious
statuary and painted murals, much of it still in surprisingly good condition. A beautiful and
impressive sight. We enjoyed visiting the caves; for the first few we were accompanied by
our guide who spoke English with such a strong accent that we viewed the rest of the caves
on our own.
Upon our return to Aurangabad about 6:00pm we bought tickets for an excursion the
following day to the Ellora Caves and other sights in and around Aurangabad at a price of Rs.
200 (US$5) each excluding entrance fees.
following day to the Ellora Caves and other sights in and around Aurangabad at a price of Rs.
200 (US$5) each excluding entrance fees.
Click here for the next page, "Ellora and Aurangabad Excursion".
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Click here to return to the "Central India Trip Menu".
Click here to return to "Our Travel Journals" Main Menu.
The "green bus" to the Ajanta Caves.
The following photos are typical of the huge quantity of beautiful ancient Buddhist
paintings and sculptures we saw in the Ajanta Caves. A serious student of Buddhist art
could easily spend weeks here. The use of flash was not permitted.
paintings and sculptures we saw in the Ajanta Caves. A serious student of Buddhist art
could easily spend weeks here. The use of flash was not permitted.
Map of the Ajanta Caves.
Cliffside walkway joining the Ajanta Caves.
The photos below give you an overall impression of the Ajanta site.
General view of the Ajanta site.
Temple ceiling.
Temple arches.
Temple columns.
Exterior temple sculptures.
Temple ceiling.
Temple interior view.
Temple sculptures and columns.
Interior sculpture.
Painted wall and ceiling.
To the right, one of the
approximately 30 Ajanta
temple facades.
approximately 30 Ajanta
temple facades.