Ajanta is a series of rock-cut caves in Sahyadri ranges on Waghora river near Aurangabad in Maharashtra. It has approximately 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments dating from 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE. It was inscribed by Buddhist monks, under the patronage of Vakataka kings – Harishena being a prominent one. The paintings are generally themed around Buddhism and Jataka stories. The caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.