Ajanta Caves

Location : 99-km From Aurangabad, Maharashtra                                         Significance: World Heritage Site
Total Caves: 30                                                                                                      Period : 2nd Century BC To 6th Century AD

Ajanta caves including the unfinished ones are thirty in number; of which five - 9, 10, 19, 26 and 29 are 'Chaitya-Grihas' and the rest are 'Sangharamas' or 'Viharas' (monasteries). After centuries of oblivion, these caves of Ajanta were discovered in AD 1819. They fall into two distinct phases with a break of nearly four centuries between them. All the caves of the earlier phase date between 2nd century BC - AD.

Ajanta caves of the second phase were excavated during the supremacy of the Vakatakas and Guptas. According to inscriptions, Varahadeva, the minister of the Vakataka king, Harishena (c. 475-500 AD), dedicated Cave 16 to the Buddhist Sangha while Cave 17 was the gift of the prince, a feudatory. An inscription records that - Buddha image in Cave 4 was the gift of some Abhayanandi who hailed from Mathura. A few paintings, which survive on the walls of Caves 9, and 10 go back to the 2nd century BC-AD. The second group of the Ajanta cave paintings started in about the 5th century AD and continued for the next two centuries as, noticeable in later caves. The themes are intensely religious in tone and centre round Buddha, Bodhisattvas, incidents from the life of Buddha and the 'Jatakas'. Ajanta cave paintings are executed on a ground of mud-plaster in the tempera technique.

Ellora Caves

Location: 18 Miles from Aurangbad                                                                   Belonging To: Hindu, Buddhist & Jain
Total Caves: 34                                                                                                      Carved Between: 5th & 10th Century AD

The magnificent group of rock-cut shrines of Ellora, representing three different faiths, Buddhist, Brahmanical and Jaina were excavated during the period from 5th to the 13th century AD. Ellora Buddhist Caves (1 to 12) were excavated between the 5th and the 7th centuries AD, when the Mahayana sects were flourishing in the region. Important in this group are Caves 5, 10 and 12. Cave 10 is a Chaitya-hall and is popularly known as 'Visvakarma'. It has a highly ornamental facade provided with a gallery and in the Chaitya-hall is a beautiful image of Buddha set on a Stupa. Among the Viharas, Cave 5 is the largest. The most impressive Vihara is the three - storeyed cave called 'Tin - Tala'. It has a large open-court in front which provides access to the huge monastery. The uppermost storey contains sculptures of Buddha.

The Brahmanical caves of Ellora numbering 13 to 29 are mostly Saivite. Kailasha (Cave 16) is a remarkable example of rock-cut temples in India on account of its striking proportion, elaborate workmanship architectural content and sculptural ornamentation. The whole temple consists of a shrine with Linga at the rear of the hall with Dravidian Shikhara, a flat-roofed Mandapa supported by sixteen pillars, a separate porch for Nandi surrounded by an open-court entered through a low Gopura. There are two 'Dhvajastambhas', or pillars with the flagstaff, in the courtyard. The grand sculpture of Ravana attempting to lift mount Kailasha, the abode of Siva, with his full might is a landmark in Indian art. The Jaina Caves (30 to 34) are massive, well-proportioned, decorated and mark the last phase of the activity at Ellora.

Suggested tour program for Ajanta & Elorra

Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
Arrive Cochin airport
Our company representative will meet and assit you at the airport
Later transfer to prebooked hotel (for immediate occupency)

Day 02 : Delhi sightseeing
Breakfast at hotel
Morning start sightseeing of India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in its fold the ancient & the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the British left behind . The division between New & Old Delhi is the distinction between the capitals of the British & the Moghuls respectively. So, wherever the visitor goes, he will invariably confront the citys’ past.

We will start our tour by visiting Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jahan, the construction was started in 1844 and was not completed until 1658 ; Red Fort, which was also built by Shah Jehan. This massive fort was built from 1638 to 1648 ; Chandni Chowk and Rajghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. Witness the India Gate, the Presidents House & the Parliament. Visit Humayun's Tomb : built in mid 16th century this is an early example of Mughal architecture ; Qutab Minar. The tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple (Birla Mandir).

Day 03 : Delhi - Jaipur
Morning after breakfast drive to Jaipur : The capital city of the state of Rajasthan also know as “Pink City” owes its name, its foundation and planning to the great warrior astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II. The city of Jaipur has broad avenues. The city sits on a dry lake bed in a wild and somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills surmounted by fortresses and crenellated walls.

Upon arrival, check-in at prebooked Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure

Day 04 : Jaipur
Morning after early breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride from the foothills of the Aravallis to the fort entrance. Amber Fort : At a distance of 11 kms from Jaipur, Amber was the ancient capital of Jaipur state. Construction of the fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar's army and is a superb example of Rajput architecture.

Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit the City Palace which has museum having an extensive collection of art, carpets, enamel ware and weapons; Jantar Mantar - the observatoyr built my Maharaja Jai Singh in 1728 and the façade of Hawa Mahal. Overnight at hotel

Day 05 : Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
Breakfast at hotel
Morning drive to Agra, enroute visit the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri : built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of the Moghuls, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are still preserved in its original glory. Continue drive to Agra. Arrive Agra and check-in at prebooked hotel.

Day 06 : Agra
Early morning at the time of sunrise visit Taj Mahal, which was constructed by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Contruction of the Taj began in 1631 and was not completed until 1653.

Back to hotel for breakfast. Later continue sightseeing by visiting Red fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up until the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private audiences amongst many other beautiful structues; Itmad-ud-daulah, which was contructed by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628 and is very similar to the tomb she constructed for her husband, Jehangir, near Lahore in Pakistan.

Evening you can walk through the local bazaar. Overnight at hotel

Day 07 : Agra - Delhi (by road) - Aurangabad (by flight)
Morning after breakfast drive to Delhi airport for flight to Aurangabad
Arrive Aurangabad and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 08 : Aurangabad
Full day tour of Ajanta and Ellora Caves. Ajanta Caves are 106 kms from Aurangabad and date back to the 2nd century BC. The 30 rock hewn caves are adorned with Buddhist sculpture and the frescoes portray in epic form the religious and secular life through eight centuries. Ellora Caves (29 kms) encompasses 34 rock cut shrines representing Buddhist, Hindu & Jain art dating from the 4th to 9th century A.D. The most remarkable among them is the Kailash Temple, meant to be a replica of Lord Shivas celestial abode - Kailash is the best example of Rock cut architecture and an engineering marvel.

Day 09 : Aurangabad - Mumbai
Morning after breakfast transfer to airport for flight to Mumbai
Arrive Mumbai and check in to hotel

Day 10 : Mumbai
Breakfast at hotel
Morning half day city tour of Mumbai - the capital city of the state Maharashtra and is the economic powerhouse of India. Visit the Gateway of India, which was conceived following the visit of King George V in 1911 and officially opened in 1924; Price of Wales Museum, designed in Indo Saracenic style and has sections for arts and paintings, archeology, natural history and an interesting collection of miniature paintings, bas reliefs from the Elephanta caves and Budha images; Marine Drive, which runs along the shoreline, starting at Nariman Point and upto Malabar Hill; Hanging Gardens, laid out in 1881 these formally laid out gardens have a notable collection of hedges shaped like animals.

OPTIONAL : Excursion to Elephanta Caves

Elephanta anciently known as "Gharapuri" or the Fort Town, the island capital of Konkan Mauryas, is celebrated for its colossal image of Maheshamurti with three heads each representing a different form. Later the Portuguese took possession of the island and as they first found a monolith elephant the island was named Elephanta. Elephanta also makes an ideal holiday spot with plenty of pretty nooks and corners as well as pleasant picnic spots to visit. For the ones interested in archaeology and architecture Elephanta caves provide a fascinating study in the rock architecture and sculptural art of India.

Overnight at hotel

Day 11 : Mumbai departure
Transfer to airport for Bombay flight. Arrive Bombay domestic airport & transfer to International airport.