Ajanta-Ellora’s pre-COVID timings restored

India’s famous Ajanta-Ellora caves will reopen to visitors from today. As per the reports, the district administration recently gave its nod to operate the World Heritage Sites, and other monuments in Aurangabad district as per the pre-COVID timings.

The Ajanta and Ellora caves, all this while, were closed on weekends and had regulated visiting hours on the weekdays, as a part of COVID prevention measures. Reportedly, both the sites will now remain open for visitors on both Saturdays and Sundays as well, from dawn to dusk. However, since the sites will be operating on pre-COVID timings, Ajanta Caves will remain closed on Mondays, while the Ellora Caves will remain closed on Tuesdays.
As for other monuments, such as Aurangabad Caves, Bibi-ka-Maqbara, and Daulatabad fort, these sites will allow tourists on weekdays.
Referring to this, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) stated that the pre-COVID timings of the Ajanta-Ellora caves and other monuments would be restored from next week. ASI Superintendent Archaeologist Milan Kumar Chauley stated that their online ticketing system will be adjusted as per the revised timings, and the said changes will come into effect from October 11. Meanwhile, he has urged visitors and other stakeholders to follow all COVID-appropriate behaviour.
Stakeholders from the tourism and hospitality industry have been demanding to keep both the sites open on weekends. However, the state tourism department and ASI had left this to the district administration to take the necessary call.