Close ups of Ajanta's exteriors

These rock-cut caves near Aurangabad in India are a world heritage site and fairly well preserved. These 30 caves represent Buddhism. Although much of it has been eroded by the sands of time, it is worth a see. The  fact that they have been preserved since the fifth century B.C. is amazing. They lie inside a horseshoe shaped gorge, and a reason they were protected from the the harsh vagaries of nature. The caves are a fine example of ancient Buddhist architecture. These images show what the exteriors are like in general, and are just a sample. In actuality many of temples can be double storeyed and spread out over a large area.

An example of what the exterior of an Ajanta cave can look like.

Some type of Buddhist monastery at Ajanta.

Amazing how the ancients managed to carve such a thing of beauty into the dark rock.

A closer look at the sculpted exteriors of the Ajanta caves at Aurangabad.

Temples carved into the hard rock of the western ghats.

Related images: A View from Ajanta - scenery of rocks, caves and hills which is a panoramic view of the hills surrounding Ajanta caves. Or  see photos of Ajanta Caves exterior images which reveal the horseshoe shaped gorge and the temples carved into it. Or check out all the carvings, sculptures and paintings at Ajanta or Ellora, where you will find photographs of both the Ajanta and Ellora caves and the art.
Or try photos from these posts: Group of temples at Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram or Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram or Meenakshi Temple or Tiru-alavai images
Or check out the scores of images filed under the label "Temples"

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