Ajanta Waterfall — Complete Guide to the Waghur River Falls Near Ajanta Caves

The Ajanta Waterfall is the seasonal cascade of the Waghur (also spelled Waghora) river inside the horseshoe-shaped gorge that holds the Ajanta Caves, roughly 104 km from Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar). Rather than a single drop, the river descends in a series of steps — commonly described as a waterfall of seven leaps — below the cave cliff, and in the monsoon the sound of the falling water can be heard from outside the caves. For travellers, the Ajanta Waterfall adds a dramatic natural highlight to an already UNESCO-listed heritage trip. This guide explains what it is, the best time to see it, where to view it and how to plan your visit. It also answers a common question from visitors — which waterfall in Aurangabad, Ajanta and Ellora Caves you can actually see — by covering both the Ajanta waterfall and the Sita-Ki-Nahani waterfall at Ellora.

What Is the Ajanta Waterfall?

The Ajanta Waterfall is the natural water feature formed where the Waghur river drops through the gorge below the Ajanta Caves. The name Waghur (Waghora) is often translated as “Tiger River” in Marathi, and the river flows through a narrow, winding gorge directly beneath the line of caves, descending in a stepped waterfall. It is a seasonal feature: it is at its most dramatic in and just after the monsoon, and reduces to a thin trickle, or goes dry in places, in the hot months.

Many visitors search for this as the Ajanta Caves waterfall, and it is the same feature: the waterfall that can be seen and heard around the Ajanta Caves when the Waghur river is in spate. There is no separate ticketed waterfall — it is part of the gorge landscape you experience while visiting the caves.

The ancient monks who carved the caves chose this spot partly because of the water and seclusion the gorge provided, and the Ajanta Waterfall remains part of the sensory experience of the site — the sound of falling water, cool air in the gorge, and green slopes around the horseshoe bend.

The Waghur River & the Gorge

The Ajanta Caves are cut into the rocky northern wall of a U-shaped gorge on the Waghur river on the Deccan Plateau. The river sits at the bottom of the horseshoe, and the waterfall steps down through the lower part of the gorge. Because the surrounding basalt hills catch the monsoon rain, the flow can rise quickly after heavy showers. See our Ajanta Hills guide for the wider landscape, and our Ajanta Park guide for the forested garden-like setting around the entrance.

Best Time to See the Ajanta Waterfall

Note: Water flow depends on that year’s rainfall and can vary considerably, so treat these months as a general guide.

If seeing the Ajanta Waterfall at its best is your priority, aim for August to early October, ideally a day or two after steady rain. If you prefer comfortable weather and fewer slippery paths, late October to November often gives a good balance of water and clear skies.

Where to View It

The Ajanta Waterfall is best appreciated from the viewpoint areas and gorge-side paths around the cave complex. The hilltop Ajanta View Point, reached by a short drive from the main parking area, gives a panoramic picture of the horseshoe, the cave façade and the river valley below, and in the monsoon you can often spot the white streaks of the waterfall against the dark basalt. Closer to the caves, the sound of the Ajanta Waterfall carries along the cliff path when the river is high. Anyone wondering where the Ajanta Caves waterfall can be seen from should plan on the gorge-side cliff path and the View Point rather than a separate trail.

Safety Tips

• Stay on marked paths: Rocks near the gorge can be very slippery in the monsoon.
• Do not climb or swim: The gorge is steep and currents rise quickly after rain — viewing is for the eyes, not for bathing.
• Wear grippy footwear: Sandals and smooth soles are risky on wet steps.
• Check the weather: Avoid visits during very heavy rain or when authorities restrict access.

Photography Tips

For photographing the Ajanta Waterfall, go early in the morning or late afternoon for softer light and fewer crowds. A lightly overcast day is ideal because it reduces harsh contrast on the water and the dark rock. Use a steady hand or a small tripod where allowed, and protect your phone or camera from spray and rain.

Waterfall Aurangabad Ajanta Ellora Caves — Ajanta vs Ellora

Visitors searching for a waterfall in Aurangabad, Ajanta and Ellora Caves usually want to know where water can be seen in the Aurangabad region. There are two well-known options. At Ajanta, about 104 km from Aurangabad, the Waghur river drops in steps through the gorge below the caves. At Ellora, about 30 km from Aurangabad, a natural waterfall called Sita-Ki-Nahani, fed by the Elaganga stream, flows beside Cave 29 (Dhumar Lena) and is especially striking in the monsoon, July to September.

Because Ellora is much closer to the city, it can be combined with Daulatabad Fort and Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga in a half day, while Ajanta needs a full day. For the Ellora side, see our Ellora Place guide, which covers the caves in full, and read our how to visit Ajanta and Ellora Caves from Aurangabad guide to plan both waterfalls into one trip.

Combine With Ajanta Caves & Nearby Stops

Most visitors see the Ajanta Waterfall as part of a full Ajanta Caves day. Read our Ajanta Cave Maharashtra guide for the 30 Buddhist caves, and our places near Ajanta Caves guide for additional stops. The Ajanta Caves are generally closed on Mondays, so plan your waterfall visit around that day, and confirm current timings and ticket prices before you travel.

Getting There by Taxi

The Ajanta Waterfall and caves are roughly 104 km from Aurangabad, a drive of about two and a half to three hours each way, so most travellers leave early and return in the evening. A private taxi allows you to stop at the viewpoint and spend time at your own pace. See our Ajanta and Ellora Caves from Aurangabad guide, our taxi for Ajanta Ellora Caves from Aurangabad page, or the Aurangabad to Ajanta and Ellora Caves distance guide for route details. To see both UNESCO sites on one trip, read our Ajanta and Ellora Caves tour page, or choose our Ajanta Ellora caves tour package for a ready-made itinerary with transport included.

Ajanta Waterfall — FAQs

1. What is the Ajanta Waterfall?

The Ajanta Waterfall is the seasonal cascade of the Waghur (Waghora) river inside the horseshoe-shaped gorge below the Ajanta Caves. The river descends in a stepped series of falls, commonly described as a waterfall of seven leaps, and is most impressive during and after the monsoon.

2. Where is the Ajanta Waterfall located?

The Ajanta Waterfall is in the Waghur river gorge at the Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra, about 104 km from Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar). It lies below the cave cliff and can be viewed from the gorge-side paths and the hilltop Ajanta View Point.

3. What is the best time to see the Ajanta Waterfall?

The best time is the monsoon and just after it, roughly July to October, with August to early October usually giving the strongest flow. In winter the flow is reduced, and in summer the waterfall is often minimal or dry.

4. Can you go close to the Ajanta Waterfall or swim in it?

No, swimming or climbing is not recommended. The gorge is steep, the rocks are slippery and the current can rise suddenly after rain, so the waterfall is meant to be viewed from the marked paths and the viewpoint.

5. Is there an entry fee to see the Ajanta Waterfall?

The waterfall is viewed as part of a visit to the Ajanta Caves complex and its viewpoints, so you will generally need the Ajanta Caves ticket and transport arrangements. Fees and timings change, so check current details before you travel.

6. Are the Ajanta Caves open on Mondays?

The Ajanta Caves are generally closed on Mondays, so a trip to see the Ajanta Waterfall should be planned for another day of the week. Always confirm the latest timings before travelling.

7. How far is the Ajanta Waterfall from Aurangabad?

The Ajanta Caves, and the waterfall in the gorge below them, are about 104 km from Aurangabad, a drive of roughly two and a half to three hours each way. A private taxi is the most convenient option for a full-day trip.

8. Is the Ajanta Waterfall worth visiting?

Yes, especially in the monsoon, when the waterfall, green hills and the horseshoe gorge create one of the most scenic views in the region. Even outside the monsoon, the Ajanta Waterfall setting is worth combining with the caves for the full experience.

9. Which waterfall can I see in Aurangabad, Ajanta and Ellora Caves?

There are two well-known options for a waterfall in the Aurangabad, Ajanta and Ellora Caves region. At Ajanta, about 104 km from Aurangabad, the Waghur river descends in steps through the gorge below the caves. At Ellora, about 30 km from Aurangabad, the Sita-Ki-Nahani waterfall, fed by the Elaganga stream, flows beside Cave 29 (Dhumar Lena). Both are at their best during the monsoon, from July to October, and Ellora is the easier one to combine with a half-day city trip.

10. Is there a waterfall at Ajanta Caves?

Yes, there is a waterfall at Ajanta Caves. The Waghur (Waghora) river drops in a series of steps through the gorge below the caves, and the Ajanta Caves waterfall is strongest during and just after the monsoon, roughly July to October. It is not a separate attraction with its own ticket — you see and hear it as part of a visit to the caves, from the gorge-side paths and the Ajanta View Point. In the dry months the flow reduces and can disappear, so the monsoon is the best time to see it.