Ajanta Caves, Buddhist rock-cutcave temples and monasteries, located near Ajanta village, north-centralMaharashtra state, westernIndia, that are celebrated for their wall paintings. The temples are hollowed out of granite cliffs on the inner side of a 70-foot (20-metre) ravine in the Wagurna River valley 65 miles (105 km) northeast ofAurangabad, at a site of great scenic beauty.

The group of some 30 caves was excavated between the 1st centurybce and the 7th centuryce and consists of two types,caityas (“sanctuaries”) andviharas (“monasteries”). Although the sculpture, particularly the rich ornamentation of thecaitya pillars, is noteworthy, it is the fresco-type paintings that are the chief interest of Ajanta. These paintings depict colourful Buddhistlegends and divinities with an exuberance and vitality that is unsurpassed inIndian art. The caves were designated aUNESCOWorld Heritage site in 1983.