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CulturalRef. 242

Ajanta Caves

Cultural World Heritage property in India, inscribed in 1983 under criteria (i), (ii), (iii), (vi).

Ajanta Caves, India
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Soman assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons
Aflaj Irrigation System of OmanAgra FortAjanta CavesAnuradhapuraBaganBahla FortBamBat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn archaeological sitesBhimbetka rock sheltersBuddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-BahlolCentral Highlands of Sri LankaChampaner-Pavagadh Archaeological ParkChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj TerminusChitwan National ParkChurches and Convents of GoaCultural Sites of Al Ain (Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud and Oases Areas)Dambulla cave templeDasht-e LutDholaviraElephanta CavesEllora CavesFatehpur SikriFort and Shalamar Gardens in LahoreGreat Himalayan National ParkGreat Living Chola TemplesGroup of monuments at MahabalipuramHampiHeritage district of YazdHill Forts of RajasthanHistoric City of AhmadabadHistorical Monuments at Makli, ThattaHumayun's TombJabal Al FayahJaipurJantar MantarKandyKathmandu ValleyKaziranga National ParkKevladev National ParkKhajuraho Group of MonumentsKhangchendzonga National ParkKonark Sun TempleLumbiniMahabodhi TempleMaidamManas National ParkMaratha Military Landscapes of IndiaMaymandMinaret and Archaeological Remains of JamMohenjo-daroMosque City of BagerhatNalanda MahaviharaNanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National ParksPattadakal Group of MonumentsPersian QanatPolonnaruwaPyu Ancient CitiesQalhatQutb complexRamappa TempleRani ki vavRed FortRohtas FortSacred Ensembles of the HoysalasSagarmatha National ParkSanchiSantiniketanSarnathShahr-e SukhtehSigiriyaSomapura MahaviharaSundarbans National ParkSundarbans Reserved ForestTaj MahalTaxilaVictorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of MumbaiWadi WurayahWestern GhatsWorld Heritage Sites in Tibet20.553° N, 75.700° E
State Party
India
Year of inscription
1983
Criteria
iiiiiivi
Area of property
8,242 ha
Location
Aurangabad district
What it is
grotto, artificial cave
Founded or built
200 BC
Reference
WHC 242 · Wikidata Q184427

Why it is on the List

(i)A masterpiece of human creative genius.(ii)Shows a major exchange of ideas — in architecture, technology, art, town planning or landscape design — over time or across a cultural area.(iii)A unique or exceptional witness to a cultural tradition or a civilisation, living or vanished.(vi)Directly linked to events, living traditions, ideas, beliefs or artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance.
nearby

Closest World Heritage sites

Straight-line distance between the recorded coordinates.

Ellora Caves, India80 kmEllora CavesIndia · 1983Cultural184 kmMaratha Military Landscapes of IndiaIndia · 2025CulturalChampaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, India310 kmChampaner-Pavagadh Archaeological ParkIndia · 2004CulturalBhimbetka rock shelters, India331 kmBhimbetka rock sheltersIndia · 2003CulturalElephanta Caves, India339 kmElephanta CavesIndia · 1987CulturalChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, India349 kmChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj TerminusIndia · 2004Cultural
India

More sites in India

All 45
1983

Also inscribed in 1983

All of 1983

Data: Wikidata (CC0) · danger list as published in 2026 · independent atlas, not affiliated with UNESCO or Petit Futé.