Ajanta Caves

Early morning, pick up from the hotel and proceed to visit Ajanta Caves The Ajanta caves are significant for their intricate rock-cut architecture. Stunning frescoes and cave paintings are considered some of the best examples of ancient Indian art. Ajanta caves are excavated in a horseshoe-shaped bend of rock surface nearly 76 m in height, overlooking the Waghur River. Built using only hammer and chisel, these caves served as secluded retreats for Buddhist monks for about nine centuries before being abruptly abandoned. These caves were rediscovered by an Army officer in the Madras Regiment of the British Army in 1819, during one of his hunting expeditions. Instantly, the discovery became very famous, and Ajanta became an important tourist destination in India. (Note: Closed on Monday)

Ellora Caves

Later, visit Ellora Caves. The caves at Ellora were carved out of the vertical face of the Charanandri hills between the 6th and 10th centuries AD. The carving work began around 550 AD. At the same time, the Ajanta caves were abandoned. Kailash Temple (cave 16), which is the most remarkable structure The Kailash Temple at Ellora was made by the Rashtrakuta dynasty as a temple for Lord Shiva. Perhaps it was meant to be a lookalike of Mount Kailash. The mystical abode of Shiva Kailash is a standalone, multi-storeyed temple complex made to look like Mount Kailash, the uranic home of Lord Shiva. Kailash Temple (cave 16) is the most remarkable structure of the cave group. Shaped by hand from a single massive rock, it includes a gateway, exhibition area, square hall, sanctum sanctorum, and tower that bear testimony to the excellence of Dravidian art. The Kailash Temple is a stupendous piece of architecture with spatial effects and grand sculptures. (Note: Closed on Tuesday)