The Ajanta
Caves are located about 350 kilometers NE of Mumbai in the Indian state of
Maharashtra. The first phase of these partly rock-cut, partly built and
sculpted caves was begun in the 2nd century BCE, about two hundred years after
the similarly constructed ‘city’ of Petra in Jordan. The second phase of Ajanta, filled with wall
murals that are masterpieces of ancient Buddhist art, was completed about seven
hundred years later, in the late 5th century CE.
The best
time to visit is during the relatively cool period between October and March,
although the lush green surroundings and waterfalls inside and outside the
caves are wonderful to see during the June to September monsoon season. Or so I’m told.
