Ajanta and Ellora caves, famous for their rock cut architecture and paintings, are situated in which state of India?

Introduction / Context:
Ajanta and Ellora are two of the most famous groups of rock cut caves in India. They are important for their exquisite paintings, sculptures and temples representing Buddhist, Hindu and Jain traditions. These caves are also UNESCO World Heritage Sites and major tourist attractions. This question checks whether you can correctly identify the Indian state in which both Ajanta and Ellora cave complexes are located.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The question mentions both Ajanta and Ellora caves together.

- Options list Kerala, Odisha, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir and Karnataka.

- It is assumed that you know Ajanta and Ellora are in the Deccan region of western India, not in the far north or extreme south.

- You only need to name the state, not the specific district or city.

Concept / Approach:
Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves are both located in the state of Maharashtra. Ajanta lies in the Aurangabad district area, and Ellora is also near Aurangabad. They are often visited together on a single tour. Kerala and Odisha are on the southern and eastern coasts respectively, and Jammu and Kashmir is in the far north, none of which contain these caves. Karnataka has its own rock cut sites like Badami and Aihole, but Ajanta and Ellora belong to Maharashtra. Therefore, the correct approach is to associate both cave groups with Maharashtra in western India.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Ajanta Caves are situated near the Waghora River in the Aurangabad region of Maharashtra. Step 2: Remember that Ellora Caves are also located not far from Aurangabad and are often grouped with Ajanta in travel itineraries. Step 3: Recognise that both caves are highlighted in Maharashtra tourism material and school textbooks as major heritage sites of that state. Step 4: Check the options and find Maharashtra among them, which matches this information. Step 5: Note that Kerala is famous for backwaters and temples, Odisha for its coastal temples like Konark, Jammu and Kashmir for Himalayan landscapes, and Karnataka for distinct cave temples like those at Badami, but not for Ajanta and Ellora. Step 6: Conclude that Maharashtra is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative Check:
You can verify by recalling that many exam questions ask separately about Ajanta or Ellora and their state, always giving Maharashtra as the answer. Atlases and history textbooks also place these sites near Aurangabad in Maharashtra. Meanwhile, when you study rock cut monuments of Karnataka, you see names like Badami and Aihole but not Ajanta and Ellora. This consistent mapping supports the conclusion that Ajanta and Ellora caves are situated in Maharashtra.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Kerala has famous temples and natural beauty but does not contain Ajanta or Ellora caves. Odisha hosts monuments such as the Sun Temple at Konark and the Jagannath Temple at Puri, which are different from Ajanta and Ellora. Jammu and Kashmir is known for its mountains and shrines but not for these Deccan rock cut cave complexes. Karnataka has notable cave temples at Badami and elsewhere, but Ajanta and Ellora are not among them.

Common Pitfalls:
Because there are many cave sites across India, students sometimes confuse Ajanta and Ellora with caves in Karnataka or Madhya Pradesh. Another error is to recall only that they are somewhere in central or western India and then guess the wrong state. To avoid this, firmly link Ajanta and Ellora with Aurangabad and Maharashtra in your memory. Visualising a map of Maharashtra with Aurangabad marked as a heritage city can make the association stronger and more reliable in exams.

Final Answer:
Ajanta and Ellora caves are situated in the state of Maharashtra in India.