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From the city of Aurangabad you will have to travel through a picturesque countryside for 107 km to reach the rock cut caves of Ajanta. From a distance, the caves of Ajanta look as if they are nestled in a gigantic horse-shoe shaped gorge. The caves at Ajanta are some of the finest examples of Buddhist religious architecture and paintings. Inside these caves there are Chaitya Halls or shrines and these shrines are dedicated to Lord Buddha. There are also Viharas or monasteries where Buddhist monks used to study and meditate.
Ajanta caves have a rich variety of paintings. The paintings adorn walls and ceilings of the caves and these paintings depict the stories of the life and time of Lord Buddha. The series of paintings portray the stories of Jataka. The paintings also deal with the incarnations of Buddha popularly called Bodhisattavas. The caves at Ajanta can be divided into two distinct phases. The first phase of this cave building is the Hinayana phase when Buddha was worshipped only in the form of certain symbols. Later during the Mahayana phase, Buddha was worshipped in the physical form. In the cave paintings and sculptures too this form is reflected very distinctly.
Ajanta is easily accessible. From Mumbai you can get to Aurangabad by road, rail or by air. There are plenty of tour operators that will arrange for your trip to Ajanta. The tours also cover all the attraction that fall en route to Ajanta. Accommodation too is not a constrain in Ajanta. There are lots of hotels at Ajanta where you will get all the amenities that you need. The picturesque beauty of this prehistoric caves are truly worth a visit
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