The best time to visit Ellora and Ajanta for most travellers is from August to January: the monsoon greens the hills from July to September and brings seasonal waterfalls, while October to January offers dry, sunny days and cool nights. February and March are still pleasant in the mornings, and April to June is hot. Whatever the month, remember the weekly closures: Ellora is closed on Tuesdays and Ajanta on Mondays.
January and February
These are the classic sightseeing months. Mornings are crisp, days are warm and clear, and nights can turn genuinely cold in January, so pack a light jacket. The light is soft and golden, which photographers love.
The flip side is company. School trips, tour groups and winter holidaymakers make these busy months, especially on weekends. Arrive at the caves close to opening time. Makar Sankranti in mid-January brings kites to the rooftops of the city, and the Hurda season, when fresh green jowar is roasted over open fires, runs through to about January.
March to June
Days warm up quickly through March, but mornings remain comfortable and crowds thin after the winter peak. Mahashivratri, which falls in February or March, draws large numbers of pilgrims to Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga near Ellora; if you are visiting the caves that day, expect heavy traffic on the Ellora road. Holi brings colour and a festive mood to towns and villages.
From April, it is the hot season on the Deccan plateau. Afternoon temperatures regularly reach the high thirties and can cross 40°C in May, and the rock of the caves and Daulatabad Fort radiates heat. It is still possible to visit, and the caves themselves are cooler inside, but plan every outing for early morning and late afternoon, and rest through the middle of the day.
Summer school holidays mean families travel, yet the heat keeps the sites quieter than in winter. The monsoon usually arrives in June, bringing relief, though early showers can be unpredictable.
July, August and September
The monsoon is when the landscape changes completely. The bare brown hills turn green, streams run down the cliff at Ellora, including the waterfall near Cave 29, and the Waghora river at Ajanta fills its horseshoe gorge. The waterfall on our own property flows from July to September too.
Rain can be heavy on some days, and cave floors and steps become slippery, so sturdy footwear matters. Long weekends around Independence Day and Ganeshotsav bring bursts of visitors. The holy month of Shravan, usually July to August, fills Grishneshwar, particularly on Mondays.
October to December
Many locals consider these the sweet spot. The monsoon green lingers into October, skies clear, and temperatures ease. Diwali, in October or November, is a joyful time to be here, but the holiday week sends visitor numbers soaring at every major site; book your stay and transport early.
By November, the air is dry and pleasant, and the Hurda season begins, one of the Marathwada countryside's best food traditions.
December is cool and sunny, with nippy mornings and evenings. The Christmas to New Year week is one of the busiest of the year at both caves, so arrive early and have patience at ticket counters and parking. For quiet, the first half of the month is better.
Planning around closed days and crowds
- Ellora is closed on Tuesdays; Ajanta is closed on Mondays. Build your itinerary so neither falls on its closed day.
- Weekdays are always calmer than weekends, and public holidays are the busiest days of all.
- The first hour after opening is the best time at either site, for light, temperature and crowds alike.
- Ajanta is a long day trip, so pick a day with a good forecast in the monsoon.
Our pick
If you love greenery, water and drama, come in August or September. If you want comfortable walking and clear skies, come between mid-October and January, and avoid the holiday peaks if you can. If summer is your only option, it is still very doable with early starts.
Hiranya sits on the banks of the old Mombatta Lake, about 15 minutes from Ellora and 1 km from Daulatabad Fort, so it is easy to reach the caves just after opening in any season. Message us on WhatsApp at +91 90494 27222 if you would like help picking dates around the closed days and festivals.