| The Ajanta Caves are situated in the state of | | | | the paintings done here are the most attractive thing |
| Maharastra in India. The site is near to Bombay. We | | | | for the tourists. The travellers coming from all over |
| can reach at the caves from the city of Jalagoan, | | | | the world love to see these ancient paintings done in |
| too. This city is just 25 miles away from the caves. | | | | Buddhist Style. Though most of the paintings here |
| Another city is Aurangabad. We can go to that city | | | | can be related to the period of 2nd century BC to |
| and reach Ajanta by traveling by road. | | | | 2nd century AD, some of them were done in about |
| The caves of AJANTA are the world's greatest | | | | the fifth century AD. |
| monument. This ancient place is recognized as | | | | It is believed that these cave paintings are done by |
| historical monument by UNESCO, too. In Ajanta, | | | | the Buddhist monks and other artists. Most of the |
| there are several caves. But only 30 caves are in | | | | paintings show the influence of religion. The |
| good condition. The caves No. 9, 10, 19, 26 and 29 | | | | characters painted are mainly Buddha and |
| are known as Chaitya-grihas. The rest are called | | | | Bodhisattvas, a Buddhist monk. The artworks depict |
| monasteries. | | | | stories known as Jatakas. |
| Though built up during the period running from | | | | All the materials used in these paintings came from |
| second century BC to second century AD, these | | | | the local area. The artists have done their work on a |
| caves were discovered in the year 1819. Apart from | | | | ground of mud-plaster. The technique used seems to |
| the beautiful carvings done on the walls of the caves, | | | | be tempera. |