Cave 17

Cave 17 at Ajanta contains the most complete and best-preserved cycle of Jataka tale murals in the entire complex — an extraordinary visual narrative of the Buddha's previous lives covering walls and ceiling with exceptional colour and detail preserved across 15 centuries. Known as the "picture gallery" of Ajanta, it is the single richest painted space in ancient India. A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Included in the Ajanta entry fee. Allow at least 30 minutes inside this cave alone.