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Ajanta, Ellora, and Goa 7 Days from Mumbai Day 1 – Depart for Aurangabad. There is a very early morning train from Mumbai that takes about 6 hours, or – if you prefer – there is a 45 minute flight. After you arrive in Aurangabad, have a short sightseeing trip out to the Bibi-ki-Maqbara, 1678 mausoleum of Begum Rabi’a Daurani, Aurangzeb’s wife. Intended to rival the Taj, it falls short, but is beautiful and impressive never the less. You could also visit Chalukyan Buddhist rock-cut caves just outside the city. Day 2 – Ellora (closed on Mondays) While Ajanta is more famous for its paintings, Ellora’s fame lies in the amazing sculptures, and are considered to be the best example of Deccan rock cut temple architecture. Excavated over a period of 400 years, these 34 caves were crafted out of the rock cliffs of the Chamadiri escarpment. Ellora has 17 Hindu caves which are located in more or less in the middle of the complex, around the awe inspiring Kailash Temple. This massive temple complex, a representation of Shiva’s abode on Mt Kailash, took thousands of workers 150 years to complete. The 12 Buddhist caves, located to the south of Kailash, are the oldest here, dating from about 500 AD to 750 AD. The Jain caves (9th and 10th centuries) are on the northern end of the escarpment and contain some wonderful carved halls. On the way back to Aurangabad, stop off to see the tomb of the Emperor Aurangzeb (ruled 1658-1707 ) at Khuldabad, and the immense fortress-city of Daulatabad, Day 3 – Ajanta (closed Mondays) These 28 caves, carved into the face of a cliff along a bend in the Waghora River, are one of India’s most extraordinary treasures. Started in the 2nd c. BC, most of the best carvings and paintings date from the 5th and 6th c. AD when this site was a flourishing Buddhist sanctuary with over 200 monks in residence. The caves were used as chaityas (halls of worship) and viharas (living and meditation quarters Day 4 – Aurangabad to Goa At the time of this writing, there was a connecting flight so that this could be done in 1 day. Hopefully, they keep that in place but check before you decide on this itinerary. Day 5 – Goa Day to relax in Goa Day 6 – Goa Day to relax in Goa Day 7 – Goa to Mumbai Fly back during the day or depart on the overnight train |