What is Ajanta Caves?
[[File:Ajanta Caves, India, Panoramic view of Ajanta basalt cliffs and caves.jpg|thumb]] [[File:Ajanta Caves, India, The front courtyard of the ancient Buddhist monastery.jpg|thumb]] '''Ajanta Caves''' are about 30 [[cave]]s located in the [[India]]n state of [[Maharashtra]]. With [[Ellora Caves]], they are among the most-visited sites in India. The Ajanta Caves have been made an [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage]] site in 1983. They are located in a valley, about {{Convert|4|km||abbr=}} from the town of Ajanta, in the northwest of the state. [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] monks lived in the valley, from 2nd century BCE to about the 7th century CE. They used some of the caves to make [[temple]]s. All the caves are located near a non- perennial [[river]], which only has water during and shortly after [[Monsoon]] season. Most of the caves were also used for being lived in. Only four are designed to be temples . The most important caves also contain paintings. The nearest [[train station]] is about {{Convert|77|km||abbr=}} away, at Jalgaon. Most often, tours operate from the city of Aurangabad, which is about {{Convert|100|km||abbr=}} to the south. The tours often include both cave systems. [[Category:Geography of India]]