The Ajanta Caves is an exquisite example of Buddhist religious art and sculpture located in Aurangabad, Madhya Pradesh. The Caves had been declared as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are 30 caves in total, in Ajanta depicting the life and times of Buddha, the teachings of Buddhism as well as sculptures of Buddhist deities.

The murals and wall paintings in the Ajanta caves are the finest examples of ancient art forms of India which are still surviving to show how different emotions were represented in art and sculpture through different gestures, body poses, and forms.

The paintings in these caves had been made in two different periods. The first period of creations ranges from 2^nd Century BCE to 1^st Century CE, while the second period of creations ranges from 4^th Century to 7^th Century CE.

The first phase of artistic creations in the Ajanta caves depicts the Hinayana teachings of Buddhism but later when the Mahayana sect of Buddhism got more prominence, the subjects and art forms also changed accordingly. The Mahayana influence can be seen in the creations dating to the second period.

The natural setting of the Ajanta caves makes it almost difficult to believe how deftly and perfectly the artisans excavated and carved out the caves, the viharas, and pillars from a single mass of basalt rocks.

Book your Ajanta Caves Tour with India’s leading tours and travels operator Sai India Travel.