Called off in 2008 due to the Mumbai terror attacks, the Ellora - Ajanta Festival Aurangabad, organised by the Ellora - Ajanta Festival Committee and the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), is all set to return on 2012. The seventh edition of the festival is scheduled to be held in Soneri Mahal and Kalagram in Aurangabad from January 26 - 29, 2012. Soneri Mahal is a 17th century palace while Kalagram is an art and craft bazaar set up as a joint venture between MTDC and Aurangabad Municipal Corporation.

Speaking about the festival during a press conference in Mumbai, Kunal Kumar - IAS, District Collector, Aurangabad, said, "We are restarting the tradition this year as the event was called off due of the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. As per our plans, we are targeting youth and school students and expect around 10,000 tourists to visit this year's Festival. We are also expecting foreign visitors from more than 26 countries, especially from South East Asian countries."