Ajanta and Ellora, famous for their ancient rock-cut caves and sculptures, are situated in which state of India?

Introduction / Context:
Ajanta and Ellora are world famous cave complexes known for their Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain rock-cut architecture and exquisite wall paintings and sculptures. They are significant cultural and historical sites, and questions about their location frequently appear in Indian history and geography exams. Knowing the state in which these caves are located is a basic but essential piece of general knowledge.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks about the Indian state where the Ajanta and Ellora caves are situated.
• Options provided: Kerala, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Jammu & Kashmir.
• We assume the current state boundaries and well established locations of these heritage sites.
• The caves are situated near the city of Aurangabad.

Concept / Approach:
Ajanta and Ellora caves lie in the Deccan region, not in coastal south India or the Himalayan north. They are located near Aurangabad, which is a city in the state of Maharashtra. The approach is to link the names Ajanta and Ellora with Aurangabad and then recall which state Aurangabad belongs to. This process quickly narrows down the correct option.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that both Ajanta and Ellora caves are near Aurangabad in the Deccan plateau region. Step 2: Identify Aurangabad as a major city in Maharashtra. Step 3: Note that Kerala is in the far south west of India and is not associated with these caves. Step 4: Odisha lies on the eastern coast and is known for monuments like the Sun Temple at Konark and Jagannath Temple at Puri, not Ajanta and Ellora. Step 5: Jammu & Kashmir lies in the northern Himalayan region and has different heritage sites. Step 6: Therefore, the state that contains the Ajanta and Ellora caves is Maharashtra.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify the answer by recalling that many tourism brochures and UNESCO World Heritage lists describe Ajanta and Ellora as being in Maharashtra. Another quick check is to remember that Aurangabad Airport and nearby railway stations are common entry points to these caves, and Aurangabad is widely known as a city of Maharashtra. This confirms the association between the caves and the state.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Kerala is culturally rich but is famous for backwaters, Kathakali, and temples rather than these cave complexes. Odisha is associated with coastal temples and ancient Kalinga architecture. Jammu & Kashmir is known for Himalayan landscapes and shrines but not for Ajanta and Ellora. None of these states contain Aurangabad or the cave complexes in question, so they do not match the required location.

Common Pitfalls:
Sometimes learners mix up different heritage sites and may wrongly place Ajanta and Ellora in states known for other monuments. Confusion with Ellora and some south Indian sites can also occur because both involve rock-cut architecture. To avoid mistakes, strongly connect Ajanta and Ellora with Aurangabad and Maharashtra in your memory, treating them as a single group.

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