The Ajanta Caves, a cluster of about 30 rock cut Buddhist caves, are located in Aurangabad district of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Built in two phases from 2nd century BC in a span of 600 years, the Ajanta Caves include paintings and sculptures described as "the finest surviving examples of Indian art, particularly painting", which are considered masterpieces of Buddhist religious art. The site is a protected monument in the care of the Archaeological Survey of India, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.