Friday, March 29, 2024
Dance
Ellora Ajanta Festival Aurangabad

Place: Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Month : January
Venues : Soneri Mahal, Dr. Bababsaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University Campus
& Kalagram, Near Garware stadium, Chikalthana, Aurangabad
Genre: Dance & Music Festival 

Ellora Ajanta is a festival of dance and music held in January at the magnificent Soneri Mahal in Aurangabad. Dating back to 17th century, this architectural marvel was built by Pahadsing, an Orchha chieftain. 

Kailash temple, ElloraThe festival known previously as Ellora Festival was held in the splendid surroundings of the World-heritage listed cave temple of Ellora, about 30km from Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Ellora comprises of about 34 caves cut out of the sloping side of the Chamadri hills. Excavated between 600-1000 AD, the caves belong to Buddhists, Jain and Hindu faiths. Ellora represents some 300 years of experiments carried out by different faiths with their very different iconography and structural compulsions. Another 28 caves have been discovered later by the Archeological Survey of India. The masterpiece of Ellora is the Kailash Temple. It is the world's largest monolithic sculpture, sculpted out of a rock by 7000 labourers over a 150 year period.

This festival held at Soneri Mahal since 2002, showcases a mix of classical and folk- dances, instrumental, vocals, milajula mushaira etc from the best talents in Indian music and dance. The Festival aims to put the historical and pictorial sites in and around Aurangabad in the spotlight. It is a unique and charming way to experience some of them such as Daulatabad, Bibi-ka-Maqbara, Panchakki (A watermill), Lonar, Shirdi, and the magnificent caves of Ellora and Ajanta, imbibing centuries of history and culture. Along with the Ellora Ajanta Festival, Kalagram- the crafts Haat of Aurangabad will host Lokotsav which showcases the antiques, crafts, folk arts and cuisine of the region. 

The Ellora Ajanta Aurangabad Festival is organised by Aurangabad Festival Committee under the chairmanship of the Divisional Commissioner Aurangabad in association with Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), where India's renowned artists perform their talents in music and dance.

Contact Address

  • Chairman, Ellora Ajanta Festival Committee & District Magistrate
    Office of the Collector, Aurangabad.
    Phone : 0240 - 2331200

  • Secretary & Senior Regional Manager
    MTDC, Holiday Resort, Station Road, Aurangabad
    Phone : 0240 - 2331198
    E-mail: Contact Now

  • Ellora Ajanta Aurangabad Festival
    Chief Co-ordinator & Dy.Secretary (Housing Dept.)
    Mantralaya, Mumbai.
    Ph.: 022 - 22024678, 22871515

  • Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (M T D C) 
    Express Towers, 9th Floor,
    Nariman Point, Mumbai - 400021 
    Ph: 022 - 22024482/ 4522 / 4584
    Fax: 022 - 22024521
    Email: Contact Now
    Website: www.maharashtratourism.gov.in

How to get there

Air:  The nearest airport is Aurangabad.
Rail: Aurangabad is the nearest railway station on South Central Railway Line. Mumbai - Aurangabad via Manmad (388-km) and via Pune (400-km).
Road: Aurangabad, is well connected by road. Tourists can take taxi from Aurangabad to access Ajanta and Ellora Caves.


Other Dance Festivals
Chennai December Season(Dance) Dharani Dance Festival / Dharani Kalotsav
Elephanta Festival Kalyana Krishna Dance and Music Festival
Kathak Mahotsav Khajuraho Dance Festival
Konark Dance Festival Mamallapuram Dance Festival
Modhera Dance Festival (Uttarardh Mahotsav) Mukteswar Dance Festival
Natyanjali Festival Nishagandhi Festival
Noopuraraavam Pattadakal Dance Festival
Pracheen Kala Kendra Nritya and Sangeet Sammelan Pragjyothi International Dance Festival
Rajgir Dance Festival Soorya Dance Festival
Soorya Parampara Festival The Other Festival