<P> The Ajanta Caves were built in a period when both the Buddha and the Hindu gods were simultaneously revered in Indian culture . According to Spink and other scholars, not only the Ajanta Caves but other nearby cave temples were sponsored and built by Hindus . This is evidenced by inscriptions wherein the role as well as the Hindu heritage of the donor is proudly proclaimed . According to Spink, </P> <P> That one could worship both the Buddha and the Hindu gods may well account for Varahadeva's participation here, just as it can explain why the emperor Harisena himself could sponsor the remarkable Cave 1, even though most scholars agree that he was certainly a Hindu, like earlier Vakataka kings . </P> <P> The role of Hindu artisans is confirmed by archaeological excavations across the river from the Ajanta caves . The caves must have employed a large workforce of artisans who likely lived for extended period of time nearby, across from the river near the site . Excavations have uncovered extensive brick structures for workers and visiting elite sponsors, along with Shaiva and Shakta Hindu deities such as a red sandstone image of Durga Mahishasuramardini . According to Yuko Yokoschi and Walter Spink, these excavated artifacts of the 5th century near the site suggest that the Ajanta caves deployed a huge number of builders . </P> <P> Cave 1 was built on the eastern end of the horse - shoe - shaped scarp and is now the first cave the visitor encounters . This cave, when first made, would have been a less prominent position, right at the end of the row . According to Spink, it is one of the last caves to have been excavated, when the best sites had been taken, and was never fully inaugurated for worship by the dedication of the Buddha image in the central shrine . This is shown by the absence of sooty deposits from butter lamps on the base of the shrine image, and the lack of damage to the paintings that would have happened if the garland - hooks around the shrine had been in use for any period of time . Spink states that the Vākāţaka Emperor Harishena was the benefactor of the work, and this is reflected in the emphasis on imagery of royalty in the cave, with those Jataka tales being selected that tell of those previous lives of the Buddha in which he was royal . </P>

Where are the caves of ajanta and ellora located