In the horseshoe gorge of the Waghora river, thirty caves were cut into the cliff in two great waves — the first around the 2nd century BCE, the second in the 5th century CE under the Vakataka kings. Monks kept their monsoon retreat here, and painters covered the walls with the Jataka tales: the Buddha's earlier lives as prince, animal, and friend. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, Ajanta is where ancient India learned to tell stories in colour.