Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra

Ajanta Caves, originally uploaded by danchitnis.

Ajanta Caves, located just outside the village of Ajinṭha in Aurangabad district in the Indian state of Maharashtra, are rock-cut, richly decorated cave monuments containing paintings and sculptures considered masterpieces of Buddhist religious art, have had a considerable artistic influence. Since 1983 the Ajanta Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The first Buddhist caves at Ajanta date from the second and first centuries BC. During the Gupta period (5th and 6th centuries AD), many more caves were added to the original group of caves.