You will soon be able to enjoy stargazing near Ajanta Caves!

Visitors will soon be able to enjoy stargazing near the famous Ajanta Caves. As per the news reports, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has decided to start a stargazing project near Ajanta Caves in Aurangabad by next month-end. This was informed by an official in the know-how.

Revealing more about this project, MTDC General Manager Chandrashekar Jaiswal added that the project will be set up and operated from a secluded site called the ‘Ajanta view point’, which is away from light and offers a 270 degree view of the Ajanta Caves hill.
As per the local officials, it is actually the site where the caves were accidentally discovered on April 28, 1819 by Madras Presidency officer John Smith while hunting a tiger.

Jaiswal further added that the site already has several amenities for visitors, and that its latest project will be a community-based tourism project, wherein local people will be trained in the use of telescopes to give a basic knowledge of stars seen in the sky.
He further informed that it will be a season-based project as the sky is clear in winters and the dark periphery of the site means stars are clearly visible. The activity will start every evening once the darkness sets in and will continue for two to three hours, he added. In all likelihood, the project will start by November-end.

Elaborating more on this, Regional Manager Sanjay Harne stated that basic facilities were being put in place and that identification of people for the project was underway.

1. What is special about Ajanta caves?
   Ajanta Caves exemplifies one of the greatest achievements in ancient Buddhist rock-cut architecture.
2. How many caves are in Ajanta?
   There are a total of 29 buddhist caves in Ajanta of which 4 were used as Chaitya or prayer halls while 25 were used as Viharas or residential caves
3. When is the best time to visit Ajanta caves?
   The months between June and March are considered to be the best time to visit Ajanta.