Pune to Aurangabad by road to explore Ajanta and Ellora (original name Verul / Elura) caves.
We started by 12:30 on 29th Nov 19 from Wagholi, Pune to Aurangabad.
It took us close to 6hrs as there was a traffic jam on highway but managed to reach hotel by 18:40 i.e Waluj, Gangapur, Aurangabad.
We (family of three) started in morning by 10:00 am towards Ajanta caves and to our surprise the road condition was pathetic, potholes were so big that even trucks had to think for a while before pressing the accelerator again and steer in which direction.
Anyways we reached the parking of Ajanta - parked and headed to bus station which will take all visitors to Ajanta caves. While you are heading to bus stop to catch the bus you will have to cross a flee market and be really careful there. You would be stalked (kind off) until you buy something.
The handbook sold there about Ajanta is fake and PLEASE do not buy them and instead head to bus stop. Expect a queue there and honestly it is not well managed but you can make your way and catch a bus. There are AC buses too but the frequency is less and non-ac buses are plying with good frequency. You have no choice of bus - per queue you could get an AC or NON-AC bus.
Wait time should not be more than 30 mins if you have a good number ahead of you and you need to buy ticket while boarding bus which is INR 30 / head (non-AC bus) and INR 40 / head (AC bus).
Once you have enjoyed bus ride (close to 20 mins) you will be amidst a magnificent cave foot. Head to ticket counter and here you can ask for handbook of Ajanta. This contains quite a bit of info.
Enjoy your visit to caves !
And we were tired after ~ 3hrs ! But really enjoyed each and every cave art work and each one was equally mesmerising. The fact didn't leave our mind that they are carved our of single rock. Amazing Engineering back then ! Read some where that even with today's technology such a cave could not be carved out - Incredible India ! Isn't it?
Well - we headed back to bus stop and then crossed the mini market to parking and back to hotel. Since there is no alternate route so we were mentally prepared of the road ahead and finally reached hotel by 22:30 - start time from parking 18:20. And we were done for the day...looking forward to Ellora caves.
Some pics of Ajanta (by an amateur)
We started by 12:00 and were in the parking lot of Ellora caves by 13:45. Parking lot is not bad. From parking lot take a stroll of 5 minutes and reached ticket counter - ticket system is quite complex - for some people as a token is issues and turnstile is placed where you tap the coin and cross it. Do not loose the token.
The entrance of Ellora is amazing with lush green gardens all around and in front of you is the main cave BUT do not head to it. Once you enter the premise after taking ticket (you may buy handbook here) go towards your right side end and start your walk.
You may be able to wind up in less than ~ 4hrs. We took around same time and were done for the day. It so happened that we missed our meal and were really hungry. There is a government managed restaurant and we thought of killing our hunger there but it closes by 17:00 and we were late by 30 mins. Bad timing ! Well never mind day was good yet again not as good as Ajanta (my choice) but still enjoyed the main cave with temple. Attaching some pics for references.
So our visit was to an end and we started driving back to Pune around 18:00 from Ellora. On our way we had our meal (lunch plus dinner) at Fauji dhaba, we did not like neither the food nor the place. Saw few huts within the premise and that was looking a bit shady.
We did not halt at any other place and were in Pune by ~ 23:20.
Home sweet home ! Nothing like it !
Hope this will help you in planning your trip.
If any questions please feel free to drop a note in comment.
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