Ellora and Ajanta

Hi,

Can somebody give me advise on this issue:

in december we start another India-trip We have 3,5 month to spent and leave 26th of March from Delhi. We plan to go to Belur and Halebid (and Badami). Is it wortwhile to go to Ellora/ Ajanta as well or is it a kind of more of the same.
We might fly from Goa to Aurangebad (if we include them) or from Goa to Ahmedabad (if we skip them), to visit Gujurat.
Any insights?
Thanks for your help,
greetings,
Mea

Belur-Halebid are temple complexes with a different architectural styles than Ajanta-Ellora which represents rock-cut architecture. Some of the Ajanta caves have splendid murals. One of the Ellora caves has Mount Kailash cut on a single rock which is marvellous. I will highly recommend you not to by-pass Ajanta-Ellora.

Sadanand

If you are in Karnataka or near you must visit Belur and Halebid, Hampi and then Aihole, Pattadakal and Badami. This sites are absolutely different and deserves a vist. Ajanta and Ellora are World Heritages Sites like Aihole and are one of the most impressive things to see in India. Don't miss all this places. Gujarat is very interesting but nothing to see with above sites.

Jorge

thanks for the info.
We'll starting in Goa (Mandrem, Palolem) and then Gokarna. First rest and relax. Then we'll visit the places you said (Hampi is a must see all the times, and really like it).
So we'll include Ajanta and Ellora, and then off to Gujurat. Saw some interesting info on this forum as well. After that Rajasthan.
Any not to miss things and tips on the way?.
greetings,
Mea

We totally agree!
Besides the sites, many of these villages are also interesting.
When you visit Ajanta, try to stay there for a night or two rather than make it a day trip.
If you are interested in the rest house there ask and we'll give more input.

distaff half of hfot2

I suggest that visitors to the Ellora and Ajanta caves consider staying at the Hotel Kailas, which is a short walk from the Ellora caves (http://www.hotelkailas.com/Facility/facility.htm; most expensive rooms, Rs. 2000).
It was relaxing to be in a rural area after a couple of weeks in more urban India. We hired a car at the airport for the drive to Ellora, including a stop at Daulatabad Fort. The next day we visited the Ellora caves and on the third day were driven to the Ajanta caves and back to Aurangabad where we spent the night before continuing (to Madurai).

[QUOTE=hfot2;344193]If you are interested in the rest house there ask and we'll give more input.

I'am defintitely interested, so please do give some more info.
Especially tariffs; if reservation is necessary and any other info with you think might be interesting. (website?)

Thanks everybody for the usefull information (we'll look at the Ellora hotel aswell, see if they have cheaper rooms also)
Mea

We stayed at the MTDC Holiday Resort in Fardapur about 5 km from the caves. We had wanted to stay at the Travellers' Lodge described in Lonely Planet to be by the entrance to the caves but we were told that it was shut [and indeed when we were there in the winter of 2006 there was no sign of it]

We had a difficult time finding information about the Holiday Resort and had trouble with the MTDC website [http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/] Our travel agent/friend in Delhi - Swagatam Tours and Travels <sales@swagatamtour.com> - booked the cottage for us as part of a larger set of hotel bookings, so I don't know the tariff - but I assume it was relatively inexpensive [my old LP quotes Rs 624 for AC cottage] The place was fairly empty when we were there, but I assume reservations would be a good idea.

The adjoining cottages were attractive from the outside with bougainvilla draped over the entranceways. The veranda was used by some guests for sitting, and reading, and having a beer. We found it a bit too dusty and hot. Our room was somewhat basic: there were 2 beds, 2 chairs, a small table, a wardrobe that we locked with our cable/combination lock though since there was an army [police?] residence on site we felt that our belongings were likely to be pretty safe; the electricity was only on from 6PM to 6AM; the mosquitoes were a bit troublesome and the windows were not sealed but the AC did work and there was also an overhead fan; the shower worked and the geyser provided ample hot water; there was a decent restaurant on site for breakfast and dinner. The staff was a bit abrupt but we had little to do with them.

Hope this helps,
distaff half of hfot2

The popular way to visit Ellora & Ajanta is by way of day trips from Aurangabad, As it is a big city it has a lot of hotels of different prefrences.
Although the MTDC resorts at Ellora & Ajanta are also quite good , & staying there maybe gives you more time at the caves.
In Ellora the MTDC resort is walking distance from the cave complex.
At Ajanta, The MTDC at Fardapur is about 2-3 Km from the enterance to the Cave Complex.
All the room tariff & other details of the MTDC are on the website.
So either way, it is a personal choice.

Didn't have time enough last winter, but Belur (and Sravanabelgola) was on my list of possibilities. Belur because of this info:
Also, supposed to be the origin of Hindi bilaur 'crystal'. Just to have set my foot in that place. (I'm among other things, a chemical engineer.) Are there other features in Belur worth the time needed than the Belur-Halebid temple complexes?