Ajanta displays the Gandhara and Mathura schools of art from the Kushana period; the Sarnath school of art from the Gupta period; and the Amaravati school of art from the late Satavahana and Ikshavaku periods. The rock-hewn caves at Ajanta are either chaityas (shrines), chapels or prayer halls, viharas (monasteries) or residential cells.

Dating back to the 2nd century BC, Cave 9 is a chaityagriha that is associated with the Hinayana phase of Buddhism. It has an elaborate entrance door, a beautiful facade engraved with the sculptures of Lord Buddha, a central hall and two side windows. This cave reflects a style of architecture that features inward tapering octagonal pillars.

The monasteries at Ajanta were in operation till 8th Century CE, but were lost and forgotten till 1819.

Cave 10 is a chaitya like Cave 9. These two caves at the Ajanta Complex contain the earliest known remnants of paintings in India.

Cave 19 (shown here), and Caves 26 and 29 are chaityas of the Mahayana period. All the other caves are viharas (monasteries).

Ajanta’s art recounts the life of Lord Buddha, including his previous earthly experiences, and the Jataka tales.
Cave 26, seen here, is a chaitya, and features a sculpture of Lord Buddha in his 80th year. Above, celestial beings are depicted rejoicing Lord Buddha’s impending arrival, and below, his disciples are shown mourning the departure.

The narrative murals in Cave 15 about Lord Buddha, Avadana stories of Bodhisattva, Jataka stories and panels based on Mahayana themes from Vipulya Sutras have compelling tales to tell.

Cave 17 is one of the most remarkable structures in the Ajanta Complex. It is adorned with beautiful paintings that depict a princess attended by her maids as she applies make-up, Lord Buddha coming back home after attaining Enlightenment to plead with his wife, while his son looks on astonished. Other highlights include a royal procession, and apsaras worshipping Lord Buddha.

This panorama, from the middle-view point, offers an awe-inspiring glimpse of the Ajanta Complex’s rock-hewn Caves.

Fringed by wild foliage, Ajanta Caves are cut from the volcanic lava of the Deccan Trap. They are sprawled in a crescent formation in a ravine of the Sahyadris. The caves lie on the ancient trade route of Dakshinapatha, and are considered to be among the finest examples of Buddhist religious art.

A serene and scenic spot amidst hard rocks and lush landscape, the Waghora Waterfall emerges from the Waghur river. The river takes seven leaps and then plunges towards Cave 28, adding to the charm of the surroundings.

The only double-storey vihara among the Ajanta Caves, Cave 6 houses an image of Lord Buddha in a sitting posture. The entrance to the shrine is through an intricately carved door.

Its upper storey is surrounded by cells and the doorways are embellished with exquisite paintings and sculptures.

The shrine in Cave 7 is unique, as it houses an image of Lord Buddha in a sitting posture, with a halo carved over his head.

A splendid chaitya with an intricately detailed facade, Cave 19 is noted for its horse-shoe shaped windows and elaborate exterior. Strong and heavy-bodied yaksha guardians flank the main arch on either side, along with other jaw-dropping carvings that adorn the entrance.

Cave 24 is an unfinished vihara and had it been completed, it would have been the largest vihara in Ajanta. It was probably planned to have a hall with a pillar-lined verandah and a sanctum sanctorum. This cave is probably among the last to be excavated in Ajanta. Ajanta’s art recounts the life of Lord Buddha, including his previous earthly experiences, and the Jataka tales.

Cave 26, seen here, is a chaitya, and features a sculpture of Lord Buddha in his 80th year. Above, celestial beings are depicted rejoicing Lord Buddha’s impending arrival, and below, his disciples are shown mourning the departureCave 17 is one of the most remarkable structures in the Ajanta Complex. It is adorned with beautiful paintings that depict a princess attended by her maids as she applies make-up, Lord Buddha coming back home after attaining Enlightenment to plead with his wife, while his son looks on astonished. Other highlights include a royal procession, and apsaras worshipping Lord Buddha.

This panorama, from the middle-view point, offers an awe-inspiring glimpse of the Ajanta Complex’s rock-hewn Caves.

Fringed by wild foliage, Ajanta Caves are cut from the volcanic lava of the Deccan Trap. They are sprawled in a crescent formation in a ravine of the Sahyadris. The caves lie on the ancient trade route of Dakshinapatha, and are considered to be among the finest examples of Buddhist religious art.

A serene and scenic spot amidst hard rocks and lush landscape, the Waghora Waterfall emerges from the Waghur river. The river takes seven leaps and then plunges towards Cave 28, adding to the charm of the surroundings.

The only double-storey vihara among the Ajanta Caves, Cave 6 houses an image of Lord Buddha in a sitting posture. The entrance to the shrine is through an intricately carved door.

Its upper storey is surrounded by cells and the doorways are embellished with exquisite paintings and sculptures.

The shrine in Cave 7 is unique, as it houses an image of Lord Buddha in a sitting posture, with a halo carved over his head.

A splendid chaitya with an intricately detailed facade, Cave 19 is noted for its horse-shoe shaped windows and elaborate exterior. Strong and heavy-bodied yaksha guardians flank the main arch on either side, along with other jaw-dropping carvings that adorn the entrance.

Cave 24 is an unfinished vihara and had it been completed, it would have been the largest vihara in Ajanta. It was probably planned to have a hall with a pillar-lined verandah and a sanctum sanctorum. This cave is probably among the last to be excavated in Ajanta.

How to reach Ajanta Caves

By Air

There are no direct flight services to Ajanta Caves .

The closest airport is Aurangabad, which is a domestic airport and situated at about 15 kms from the Ajanta caves. You can fly to Aurangabad directly from the major cities like Delhi, Mumbai etc. International travellers can travel to Mumbai or Delhi and change flights to reach Aurangabad..

By Bus / Road

Since Aurangabad is one of the prime cities in Maharashtra, Ajanta caves are well connected by road as well. Ajanta caves are just at the distance of around 107 kms from Aurangabad; hence you have an option of hiring a taxi or travelling by the state-run buses. The Mumbai- Aurangabad highway is well connected to the other major cities like Delhi, Udaipur, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Nashik, Pune etc as well.

How to Reach Ajanta Caves from Aurangabad: Aurangabad is situated at only 100 km from Ajanta Caves. To travel from Aurangabad to Ajanta Caves head towards Tuljapur – Naigaon – Phulambri – Sillod – Palod – Panas – Ajanta Caves.

How to Reach Ajanta Caves from Pune: To travel from Pune to Ajanta Caves head towards Shikrapur – Ranjangaon – Shirur and reach Ahmednagar. From Ahmednagar head towards Ghodegaon – Newasa – Navin Kaigaon – Limbe Jangaon – Aurangabad. From Aurangabad to Ajanta Caves use above route.

How to Reach Ajanta Caves from Mumbai: To travel from Mumbai to Ajanta Caves head towards Thane – Bhiwandi – Kasara – Igatpuri and reach Nashik. From Nashik to Ajanta Caves head towards Chandwad – Saundana – Mandurne and reach Chalisgaon. From Chalisgaon head towards Bhadgaon – Pachora – Warkhadi – Shendurni – Soygaon – Ajanta Caves. Its a journey of around 9-10 hours from Mumbai to Ajanta caves so take some rest while traveling. Its recommended to take 2-3 haults

By Train

Aurangabad is the nearest railway station on south central railway line and since it is well connected to the major cities, you can get the frequent trains for Aurangabad from major cities of India including Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Kolkata etc. From the Aurangabad railway station, you can get the local transport to reach to the Ajanta caves.

A popular centre for art, culture and religion, the city holds many names, like Cape Comorin, Kumari Munai and Kumari. Located 705 km from the state capital of Chennai, Kanyakumari was ruled by the Cholas, the Nayaks, the Pandyas and the Cheras.

Built in 1970, the Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a combination of conventional and modern Indian architectural styles, especially from West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. From this iconic monument, one can get spectacular views of the celestial happenstance of sunrise, sunset and moonrise. On full moon days, enjoy the special spectacle of the moon rising and the sun setting simultaneously. On Chitra Purnima in April, both moon and sun face each other on the same horizon.

The entrance to the memorial features the architectural styles of Ajanta and Ellora Cave Temples, while the memorial mandapam resembles Belur’s Sri Ramakrishna Temple. A life-size bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda in his famous parivarjak posture is housed here. Shripada Mandapam, one of the two main structures of Vivekananda Rock Memorial, is its sanctum sanctorum that is enclosed within an outer platform. The square-shaped hall comprises a garbha griham, an inner prakram and an outer prakram.

It has sections including Dhyana Mandapam, Mukha Mandapam, Namasthubhyam and Sabha Mandapam. Of these, the Dhyana Mandapam, also called the Meditation Hall, has been created by integrating various styles of Indian temple architecture. Visitors are allowed to sit, relax and meditate in six rooms here. The Assembly Hall or the Sabha Mandapam comprises a statue section, Pralima Mandapam, an outer courtyard and a corridor that encompasses the main hall. Swamiji’s statue is so positioned here that his vision falls directly on the Shripadam. In the memorial mandapam stands the statue of Vivekananda and visitors can see the footprints of the virgin goddess, Sri Pada Parai, on the same rock.

To the southeast of Kanyakumari Temple are two rocks projecting out of the waters of Lakshadweep sea – the Shripada Mandapam and the Vivekananda Mandapam. It is said that on one of these, Swami Vivekananda sat in meditation for two days and turned into a powerful crusader with the blessings of Kanyakumari, the virgin goddess.

The Thiruvalluvar Statue is a 40.6 m tall statue of him that was inaugurated in the year 2000.

The statue is representative of the three chronological books namely, Virtue, Wealth and Love in the same order. While the platform of 12 m on which the statue rests is representative of the 38 chapters of the first book, the statue in itself represents the second and the third book.

This is constructed in such a manner to denote that one can get wealth and love only on the strong foundation of virtue. One can also easily notice that the three fingers of Valluvar’s right hand are pointed towards the sky which is also representative of Virtue, Wealth & Love.

The Valluvar’s statue is also located on an island which can be visited via a ferry while visiting the Vivekananda Rock Memorial.

Located on the southern tip of mainland India, at the confluence of the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal, the Bhagavathy Temple is dedicated to the virgin Goddess Kanyakumari. The temple is considered symbolic of sanctity and unity and is one of the 51 shaktipeethams (one of the places where the severed body parts of Goddess Shakti fell).

According to legend, in one of her incarnations as Devi Kanya or Shree Bhagavathy, Goddess Parvati did penance in this temple to marry Lord Shiva.

The nose ring of the idol, studded with rubies, glitters so much that it resembles a beacon. Devi is also known as Shree Baala Bhadra and Shree Baala. It is widely believed that sage Parashurama performed the consecration of the temple and the goddess in the temple removes rigidity from the mind. Devi Kanyakumari also finds mention in epics Mahabharata and Ramayana.

How to reach Kanyakumari

By Air

There are no direct flight services to kanyakumari. The nearest airport to reach Kanyakumari is the Trivandrum international airport and the domestic Tuticorin airport. Both of these airports are located at a distance of around 82 km and 89 km from Kanyakumari correspondingly. You can get taxi or bus easily from outside the airport.

By Bus

You can travel directly to Kanyakumari from states of Kerala and other parts of Tamil Nadu. Kanyakumari is connected to other cities like Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru, Madurai, Nagercoil and Chennai.  

By Train

Kanyakumari Junction is the biggest station in the Kanyakumari district and is connected to many Indian cities like Nagercoil, Chennai, Rameshwaram, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Jammu Tawi. Taxis and buses are available from the railway station to reach Kanyakumari town which is only 4kms away.

Mamallapuram holds a baffling visual treat around every corner. Its awe-inspiring cave temples, sculptures and monuments leave one marvelling at the skill of the craftsmen of that time. With its striking bas reliefs and rock-cut temples, Mamallapuram is practically an open-air museum. Many of the temples, built with granite, relate the stories from the Hindu epic Mahabharata.

Once a thriving port, Mamallapuram is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site complex, also famous for its seashell jewellery, seafood, cafes and markets and a breathtaking ocean-front. While you can soak in history visiting various historical sites, Mamallapuram’s pristine beaches fringed by lush groves with a warm sun, invite surfers. With perfect sea waves between June and September, the beaches host surfing training sessions conducted by experts. The town is also a major stopover for visitors coming from Chennai and Puducherry.

Mahabalipuram was a well-established seaport between the 7th and the 10th centuries. It earned its name for the legend of demon king Mahabali being killed at the site by Lord Vishnu. Taken over by the kings of the Pallava dynasty, who shifted their capital from Kanchipuram to Mamallapuram, giving glory to king Narasimhavaranam, who was bestowed with the title of “Mammala” for his wrestling skills. During the rule of the Pallavas, many great artists, dancers, poets, writers found a foothold here and left their mark.

The Pallavas made Mamallapuram a hub where they emerged as pioneers of new styles of art and architecture, making good use of their resources. However, the ingenuity of the Pallavas remained hidden from the world for centuries. When the region received its fair share of the limelight, it quickly became popular for its architectural marvels, gorgeous beaches, absolute serenity and mesmerising temples, and not to mention the fascinating legends of the Pallavas.

The 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad is an over-the-board event where national chess federations compete in games with a classical time control for gold medals, trophies, and the title of strongest chess nation in the world. The event started on July 29  and ends on August 11 at Mahabalipuram.

Nearest train station to Mamallapuram is Chengalpattu Junction. It connects Chennai and various parts of Tamil Nadu by express and mail trains. On arrival at the station, one can hire a cab to travel a distance of around 29 km to reach Mamallapuram.

How to reach Mahabalipuram

By Air

There are no direct flight services to Mahabalipuram. The nearest airport is in Chennai, around 40 km away. You can hire a taxi from the Chennai airport to reach Mahabalipuram.

Nearest Airport: Chennai Airport – 40 kms from Mahabalipuram

By Bus

You can reach Mahabalipuram via Chennai or drive straight by car. Bus services are available from Chennai, Chengalpattu railway station and also from Pondicherry.

By Train

There is no direct train service to Mahabalipuram from anywhere. You have to catch a bus or car from Chennai or from Chengalpattu.

Every year thousands of tourists from across the world make a beeline for this breathtakingly ethereal marble monument. It is considered the most beautiful building ever constructed.

The Taj was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial for his deceased wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is one of the seven wonders of the world and is the pride of not just Agra but also of India.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Taj features in almost all literature about India and is one of the most enduring images of the country.

Its name is believed to have been drawn from Persian: ‘taj’ meaning crown and ‘mahal’ meaning palace, thus making this the ‘palace of the crown’. Interestingly, the queen in whose memory it was built, originally named Arjumand Begum, held the name ‘Mumtaz Mahal’, meaning ‘the crown of the palace’.

The Taj Mahal is known as a monument of love and a grieving emperor’s ode to his beloved deceased queen. Another legend considers the Taj as an embodiment of Shah Jahan’s vision of kingship.

The story goes that he sought to build something akin to heaven on earth, a spectacular and unbelievably beautiful monument that reinforced the power, as well as the perceived divinity of the monarch, as next only to the Almighty.

It is also widely believed that emperor Shah Jahan invited artisans from Italy and Persia to work on this marble monument, and that Ustad Ahmad Lahori was the chief of the project, while Ustad Isa made the site plan.

The calligraphic work has been credited to Amanat Ali Khan Shirazi and Ran Mahal, from Kashmir, designed the gardens.

A fascinating aspect of this structure is that it looks the same from all sides, except the one facing River Yamuna. That side is said to have been especially embellished to serve as the main entrance for the emperor. Shah Jahan would approach the Taj Mahal from the river, aboard a barge, while the entrance presently used by tourists served soldiers and commoners.

The Taj features intricate inscriptions on all four entrances, while marble carvings and pietra dura mosaics adorn the walls.

Lapis-lazuli, cornelian, mother of pearl, agate and emerald are some of the precious gems and stones that were once used in its design.

It is said that work on the Taj Mahal’s construction began in 1631 by the banks of River Yamuna. Legend has it that it took 20 years to complete this architectural marvel! It is also riddled with optical illusions and masterful architectural safeguards.

As one first beholds the monument from the main gate, the Taj looks large and imposing, but as you move closer, it appears to shrink in size.

The minarets surrounding the edifice, while perfectly upright to the naked eye, have actually been constructed to lean away from the main structure. Should a disaster like an earthquake come about, the minarets would fall away and not affect the mausoleum.

The towering Great Gate, or Darwaza-e-rauza, of the Taj Mahal is a preview to the splendour of the monument, which can be seen framed by its arched entrance. Made of red sandstone, with inlays of white marble and Koranic text in black marble, the two-toned gate is a sight to behold.

Lying on the fringes of the western gardens of Taj Mahal, the Taj Museum is housed inside the Jal Mahal. Bordered by neatly-manicured lawns, the two-storey museum was established in 1982.

Stroll along the shaded pathways and enjoy this historical treat that gives you an insight into the heritage of the Taj.

The Taj Museum boasts of arts and artefacts used in the construction of the iconic monument. The walls are adorned with paintings that depict architectural plans of the Taj.

An interesting display is of celadon plates that are said to break or change colour if poisonous food was served on them. Don’t miss the display of gold and silver coins minted at the time.

The Mehmaan Khana, or guest house, flanks the Taj Mahal on the east. It is a sprawling structure of red sandstone and is accentuated by beautiful marble inlays.

A good spot to appreciate the symmetry of the Taj, one can get a frontal view of the monument from the Mehmaan Khana’s entrance.

Resembling the Mehmaan Khana in architecture, the Kau Ban Mosque lies to the west of the Taj Mahal. Built facing Mecca, the mosque is made of red sandstone. It boasts a dominant portal called an Iwan, on either side of which lie two smaller arches.

The Taj Mahal preserves its grandeur in its almost perfect symmetry, a fact reiterated by its series of windows, which are a fine example of Islamic art and architecture. The windows make up an intricate screen of marble-cut lattice work and add to the glory of the monument.

Credits: All media

How to reach Taj Mahal, Agra

By Air

The city of Taj, Agra, has its own airport that is around 7 km from the city center. Various Airlines operate flights to Agra during season time. For update information about flight please contact Tourist offices.

By Rail

There is a good network of trains connecting Agra with the rest of the country. Apart from the main railway station of Agra Cantonment, there are other two stations also, that of Raja-ki-Mandi and Agra Fort. The main trains connecting Agra with Delhi are Palace on Wheels, Shatabdi, Rajdhani, Gatimaan and Taj Express.

By Road

Agra is well connected to major cities in the country and is situated on the Golden Triangle of the Tourist Circuit (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur). It is connected to Delhi and Varanasi By NH-2, to Jaipur by NH-11 and Gwalior By NH-3. It is also connected to Delhi & Lucknow by Express ways. The major road distances are :

• Bharatpur – 57 km
• Delhi – 204 km
• Gwalior – 119 km
• Jaipur – 232 km
• Kanpur – 296 km
• Khajuraho – 400 km
• Lucknow – 369 km
• Mathura – 56 km
• Varanasi – 605 km

There are regular bus services from Agra to a number of important cities. The main bus stand of ISBT and Idgah have a number of buses running for Delhi, Jaipur, Mathura, Fatehpur-Sikri, etc.