Duration of the Ajanta - Ellore Tour: 06 Nights & 07 Days
Destinations Covered for Ajanta - Ellora Tour India: Mumbai – Aurangabad (Ajanta - Elora) – Mumbai – Departure for Home..!!

Day 1| Arrive Mumbai
This day you will arrive at Mumbai Airport. A representative of HOLIDAY LINKS will greet you at the airport and will assist you getting transferred to the pre booked hotel for you. Check in at the hotel and relax. This day is free for you to get rid off the jetlag. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Mumbai: Formerly Bombay, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. With an estimated population of thirteen million, it is the second most populous city in the world. Along with the neighboring suburbs of Navi Mumbai and Thane, it forms, at nineteen million, the world's fifth most populous metropolitan area. Mumbai lies on the west coast of India and has a deep natural harbour. The name Mumbai is an eponym, etymologically derived from Mumba or Maha-Amba— the name of the Hindu goddess Mumbadevi, and Aai — mother in Marathi. The former name Bombay had its origins in the 16th century when the Portuguese arrived in the area and called it by various names, which finally took the written form Bombaim, still common in current Portuguese use. After the British gained possession in the 17th century, it was anglicised to Bombay, although it was known as Mumbai or Mambai to Marathi and Gujarati-speakers, and as Bambai in Hindi, Urdu. The name was officially changed to its Marathi pronunciation of Mumbai in 1995. 

Day 2| Mumbai (Sightseeing)
In morning after breakfast go for local sightseeing of Mumbai. Visit the famous Marine Drive, Chowpatty Beach, and Malabar Hills, Hanging gardens, Crawford market and kalbadevi. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 3| Mumbai – Aurangabad (By flight)
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the Airport to board your flight to the ancient city Aurangabad.On arrival at Aurangabad, you will be transferred to your pre booked hotel to get fresh & go for a half day city tour of Aurangabad. Today evening is free to explore the local market. Overnight will be at Aurangabad.

Aurangabad: From ancient times Aurangabad has been a place of great importance due to it’s location on the famous "Silk Route" that traversed across the breadth of Asia to reach Europe. Textiles, embroidered finery and various kinds of beads made in nearby Paithan were exported to the markets of Greece, Rome and Egypt.

Under royal dynasties such as the Satavahanas, Vakatakas, Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas, Aurangabad developed as a centre of culture and learning. It gave birth to or provided inspiration for great poet – saints and philosophers like Dyaneshwar, Eknath and Ramdas, Wali and Siraj.

Aurangabad’s strategic position in the Deccan earned it the name of "Khidki" meaning window, serving as it did, as an opening through which North India could look into the Deccan.

Mohammed-bin-Tughlaq the ‘Mad King’ was so impressed by the topography of the Deogiri mountain that he forsook Delhi and moved his capital down renaming it Daulatabad. Thus Aurangabad enjoys the rare distinction of being the only city apart from Delhi to have served as the capital of India. Finally, Aurangabad became the seat of the last of the great Moghuls Aurangzeb as he fought to block the resurgent Maratha power.

Bibi ka Maqbara:
Built by Azam Shah in 1678, the Bibi ka Maqbara is a son's loving tribute to his mother, Begum Rabia Durrani, the Queen of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Standing spectacularly on the lawns of the landscaped garden with ponds, fountains and water channels, the white marbled monument rises majestically in an intentional bid to copy and rival the world famous Taj Mahal of Agra. The central tomb, distinguished by elaborate surface ornamentation and intricately perforated marble screens, is framed by four towering minarets. 

Daulatabad Fort:
Rising dramatically over 600 ft above the Deccan plain is the arresting sight of Daulatabad. Once known as Devgiri, this fort served as the head quarters of the powerful Yadava rulers. In the 13th century, Mohammed bin Tughlak, the Sultan of Delhi, made it his capital and renamed it Daulatabad, or City of Fortune

Day 4| Aurangabad - Ajanta Caves
Breakfast will be served at the hotel. After breakfast we will start our road journey to Ajanta to see the amazing Ajanta Caves (World Heritage Sites). In the evening after this wonderful full day Excursion sightseeing of the caves we will come back to Hotel. Stay overnight at the hotel.

AJANTA is world's greatest historical monument recognised by UNESCO far near from Jalgaon city of Maharashtra, India. There are 30 caves in Ajanta of which 9, 10, 19, 26 and 29 are chaitya - grihas and the rest are monasteries. These caves were discovered in AD 1819 and were built up in the earlier 2nd century BC-AD. Most of the paintings in Ajanta are right from 2nd century BC-AD and some of them about the fifth century AD and continued for the next two centuries. All paintings shows heavy religious influence and centre around Buddha, Bodhisattvas, incidents from the life of Buddha and the Jatakas. The paintings are executed on a ground of mud-plaster in the tempera technique.

The famous Ajanta caves are situated about 99-kms away from Aurangabad district in the state of Maharashtra. These caves are regarded as a world heritage site and were carved out from the 2nd century BC to 6th century AD. They are placed in a horseshoe shape about 3.5 m away from the village. The river Wagura, a mountain stream flows along the bottom of the ravine. This river falls from a height of 200 ft, thus making a series of waterfalls. The sound of the waterfalls can be heard in the caves also.

The intriguing Ajanta Caves are carved out of large rocks and are 30 in number. These caves are dedicated to Lord Buddha. The followers and students of Buddhism resided here to study this religion. They have decorated these caves with the help of their excellent architectural skills and artistic paintings.

Depiction of Contemporary Society
The carvings and the murals in the Ajanta depicted the contemporary society of that period. These artistic pieces showed all kinds of people from kings to slaves, women, men and children interwoven with flowers, plants, fruits, birds and beasts. There are also figures related to the people of that time, some of them are 'Yakshas', 'Kinneras' (half human and half bird) 'Gandharvas' (divine musicians) and 'Apsaras' (heavenly dancers).

The Caves
The incredible caves of Ajanta are dedicated exclusively to Buddhism. There are around 30 caves here and are divided into 'Chaitya-Grihas' (stupa halls) and 'Viharas' (dwelling halls). Around five of these caves (9, 10, 19, 26 and 29) are 'Chaitya-Grihas'. The rest of the caves are 'Sangharamas' or Viharas (monasteries). The caves 1, 2, 16 and 17 are important from the art point of view. They are great pieces of art compared to the contemporary art world. These caves have exotic paintings illustrating the life and incarnations of Buddha. The carvings and the paintings of the Ajanta caves tell us about the imagination and creativity of the artist. The murals on the walls of these caves are still in a good condition, maintaining the freshness of the color and spreading vibrancy in the atmosphere. Visitors will definitely enjoy watching these great historical pieces of art.

The Viharas
The Ajanta caves were divided into several viharas (dwelling halls) and chaitya-grihas (stupa halls), scooped out of the sloping rocks in the fifth century CE. The viharas consisted of a broad verandah. The roof of this verandah was supported by pillars and giving towards the interior on to a hall averaging in size about 35 ft. by 20 ft. Also there are dormitories to the left, right and back , opening on to this hall. The number of dormitories varied according to the size of the hall, and in the larger ones pillars supported the roof on all three sides, forming a sort of religious residence running round the hall.

There is also a shrine of lord Buddha in a niche facing the entrance and sometimes facing the subsidiary shrines to the right or left of the entrance. With the help of carvings, the facades of the viharas were decorated and the paintings adorned the walls and ceilings. 

The Chaityas
The chaitya-grihas are greater than the viharas. The largest chaitya-grihas being 94 1/2 ft. from the verandah to the back and 41 1/4 ft. across, including the cloister. Earlier, the chaitya-grihas at Ajanta had stupas, but later they had a standing or seated image of the Buddha in front of them. 

One of the signs of changing patterns of worship is the bodhisattva cult that was practiced at Ajanta. The Bodhisattvas are heavenly beings on the brink to Buddhahood. It is said that they chose to remain in the world to help others towards salvation. The figures off these bodhisattvas are carved at the entrance of a vihara or chaitya-griha or are painted on walls.

The Wall-Paintings
The Ajanta caves are divided into three groups. The oldest group is believed to belong to the period between 200 BCE to CE 200; the second group is believed to belong to the sixth and the third group to the seventh century. Almost all the interior walls and ceilings of the caves are covered with murals.

At the time of discovery (1817), these paintings were in a better condition than now. But fortunately, the school of art in Bombay has the copied versions of the paintings which have now disappeared from the caves. These copies are the major evidence of pictorial art in India before the rise of Hinduism. Thus, they are valuable and need preservation.

Day 5| Aurangabad – Ellora Caves
On your Fifth day of Caves of Ajanta - Ellora Tour, your breakfast will be served at the hotel. After breakfast we will start our road journey to Ellora Caves to see the amazing Elora Caves (World Heritage Sites). In the evening after this wonderful full day Excursion sightseeing of the caves we will come back to Hotel. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Ellora Caves
The famous Ellora caves are located in the lap of the Chamadari hills. These historical caves are regarded as world heritage and are situated 18 miles northwest of Aurangabad. The Ellora Caves are as old as 300 years. At first sight, the Ellora appears to the visitors as an asymmetrical ridge of rock, emerging vertically from the ground.

History
A wonderful example of cave temple architecture, the world heritage Ellora caves own elaborate facades and intricately carved interiors. These carved structures on the inner walls of the caves reflect the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. These exotic caves were carved during 350 AD to 700 AD period.

The Chalukya - Rashtrakuta rulers (7th - 10th cnetury) were the main patrons of the cave temples of Ellora. Many kings and Merchants donated huge sums of money for the construction of these cave temples. Some religious beliefs and ethical codes forced the rulers to encourage the buliding of these temples. Building of these temples was supposed to give salvation and religious excellance to the kings.The enchanting cave shrines of Ellora are an added value to the great Indian Heritage.

Caves and Temples
At Ellora, there are in total 34 famous temples carved out of stone. The cave temples of Ellora can be divided into three groups, mostly belonging to three periods: Buddhist, Hindu and Jain. Out of 34 cave temples only 12 of the temples belong to the Buddhist period. Infact even these temples also include the Hindu and Jain theme. This represents the slow decline of Buddhism.

Ellora cave temples were completed after five centuries and were carved by the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain monks. These historical monasteries, temples, and chapels reflect the outstanding imagination and detail work of art . These caves are spread from the North to South and look absolutely stunning in the late afternoon when the golden sunrays fall on them.

Highlights of Ellora Caves
The exquisite carvings and paintings found in Ellora are its major highlights. These carvings have marks of Hindu, Jain and Buddhism expressions. The wooden beams, graceful angles, steps and the mystical figures of gods and goddesses are absolutely spellbinding. They exhibit the creative excellence of the artist of that time.

Paintings
The famous wall paintings in Ellora are found in 5 caves, but these paintings are preserved only in Kailasa temple. These paintings were painted in two series, first, at the time of carving the caves and second, after many centuries later. The paintings of the first series show Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. In the later series the main composition is that of a procession of Shaiva holy men. The paintings also show gracefully flying 'Apsaras'. Sadly, very few such murals in the Jain temples are well preserved. 

Day 6| Aurangabad – Mumbai (by air)
This Morning after breakfast check out of the hotel & the car will drop you at the airport to board flight to Mumbai. Arrive Mumbai airport & transfer to the hotel. As this is your last evening in India, it is free for local shopping at Mumbai. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 7| Mumbai – Depart Home……!!!
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and get driven to the International Airport, for boarding the flight to you country or wherever you wish to head. End of Ajanta - Ellora tour packages.

                                                                   ***Tour Ends***