Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WHEN IN AJANTA…
Flash photography is strictly prohibited within the caves, due to its adverse effect on natural dyes used in the
paintings. Authorities have installed rows of tiny pigment-friendly lights, which cast a faint glow within the
caves, but additional lighting is required for glimpsing minute details, and you'll have to rely on long exposures
for photographs.
Most buses ferrying noisy tourists to Ajanta don't get there until noon, so either stay the previous night in Fard-
apur or push for an early start from Aurangabad and explore the caves in the morning, when they are pleasantly
quiet and uncrowded.
Sleeping & Eating
Accommodation options close to the caves are limited and you're better off using Auran-
gabad or Jalgaon as a base.
MTDC Holiday Resort
( 244230; Aurangabad-Jalgaon Rd, Fardapur; d with/without AC ?1262/1577; )
This government hotel
sits pretty amid lawns just by the main road in Fardapur, 5km from the caves. Rooms are
decent enough, and the open-air beer bar clinches the deal. It's by far the best lodging op-
tion around here.
HOTEL
$$
MTDC Ajanta Tourist Complex
( 09422204325; Fardapur T-junction; cottages ?2103; )
Located just behind the shopping 'plaza'
and the bus stand is this mint-fresh resort, featuring five charming and well-appointed cot-
tages nestled amid grassy lawns overlooking the hills. However, you'll have to forage for
your own food from the stalls nearby.
HOTEL
$$
Ajanta Restaurant & Beer Bar
(mains ?100-150, thali from ?120; 9am-5.30pm Tue-Sun)
A restaurant and refreshment centre, right
by the main ticket office at the caves, that serves a decent vegetarian thali, and cold drinks
including beer. There is also a string of cheap restaurants in the plaza (at Fardapur T-junc-
tion) where you can stuff your face on thalis and ice cream etc.
FAST FOOD
$
Information
A cloakroom is available at Fardapur T-junction (but not at the caves), where you can
leave gear (?10 per item for four hours), in case you are visiting Ajanta en route from
