The Ajanta Caves are 30 (approximately) rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state of India. The caves include paintings and rock-cut sculptures described as among the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian art, particularly expressive paintings that present emotion through gesture, pose and form.

The Ajanta Caves are generally agreed to have been made in two distinct periods, the first belonging to the 2nd century BCE to 1st century CE, and a second period that followed several centuries later.

The caves are carved out of flood basalt rock of a cliff, part of the Deccan Traps formed by successive volcanic eruptions at the end of the Cretaceous geological period. The rock is layered horizontally, and somewhat variable in quality. This variation within the rock layers required the artists to amend their carving methods and plans in places. The inhomogeneity in the rock have also led to cracks and collapses in the centuries that followed, as with the lost portico to cave 1. Excavation began by cutting a narrow tunnel at roof level, which was expanded downwards and outwards; as evidenced by some of the incomplete caves such as the partially-built vihara caves 21 through 24 and the abandoned incomplete cave 28.

The sculpture artists likely worked at both excavating the rocks and making the intricate carvings of pillars, roof and idols; further, the sculpture and painting work inside a cave were an integrated parallel tasks. A grand gateway to the site was carved, at the apex of the gorge’s horseshoe between caves 15 and 16, as approached from the river, and it is decorated with elephants on either side and a nāga, or protective Naga (snake) deity. Similar methods and application of artist talent is observed in other cave temples of India, such as those from Hinduism and Jainism. These include the Ellora caves, Ghototkacha caves, Elephanta Caves, Bagh Caves, Badami Caves, Aurangabad Caves and Shivleni Caves.

The 29 caves or temples in Ajanta reflect the Mahayana and Hinayana sects of Buddhism. These caves contain some of the best Buddhist art pieces found anywhere in the world. These caves remained in use for nearly nine centuries after which they were abandoned because of persecution of Buddhist monks in India. No one was aware of the existence of these caves until 1819 when Ajanta caves were again discovered. These caves are made by cutting rocks of granite along hillside. It is said that not only the caves but also the paintings and the sculptures are the handiwork of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monks who stayed and prayed inside the caves during this period. 
Ajanta caves are unique in the sense that they incorporate the three elements of visual arts namely paintings, frescos, and sculpture together. The fusion of these three art forms makes these caves very important for the lovers of art and architecture. One unique feature of depicting Buddha makes use of symbols such as his footprints or his throne. Under the Mahayana tradition of Buddhist art, one finds colorful frescos and murals of Lord Buddha and sculptures showing not only Buddha, but other Bodhisattvas also. These caves also reflect the morals and values that were regarded highly in those times with the help of scenes of everyday life. Artists have made use of Jataka tales to depict the incarnations of Buddha in his previous lives. There are also inscriptions that contain names of princes and kings who donated generously to these Buddhist monks. In general, Ajanta caves reflect the brilliant Buddhist art that rose and flourished during the reigns of Chalukya and Rashtrakuta rulers.

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