Ajanta
Caves showcase some of the best instances of ancient sculptures and murals.
These caves, 29 in number are 24
monasteries and five temples. About 200 monks and artisans
occupy them. These caves are hailed for their grandiose beauty and enjoy being
a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They were the greatest Buddhist monastery from 2nd to 7th century BC. Caves here are
carved from the horse-shoe twisted stone cliffs. Buddhist monks chiseled out
these beautiful caves between 200 BC and 650
AD as chaityas (prayer halls) and viharas (monasteries). They have superb
frescoes and excellent sculptures. Ajanta caves are categorized in two phases:
the Hinayana phase and the Mahayana phase. Some of the important Ajanta cave
sculptures in India are elaborated below.
Cave
1- It houses some best specimens, specifically the two
bodhisattvas of Vajrapani and Padmapani and a seated Buddha sculpture. The
Wheel of Life is placed beneath his statue.
Cave
2- It is a wonderfully painted ceiling which looks like
tent. Its remarkable feature is animated sculptures. Intricate patterns adorn
its walls that show scenes of Gautam Buddha’s birth.
Cave
4- This is a squarish monastery housing a sanctum
sanctorum, hall, pillared verandah and is the largest monastery at Ajanta. The
door frame is elegantly sculpted. Bodhisattva as reliever of Eight Great Perils
is carved flanking to the right. The hall’s ceiling preserves an exceptional
geological characteristic of a lava flow.
Cave
5- This is an unfinished monastery. Its significant features
are lavishly carved door frame and female figures on makaras.
Cave
6-This is a monastery which is double storeyed. Its lower
storey consists of sanctum sanctorum, hall and a pillared hall. A hall with
cells, subsidiary cells and sanctum sanctorum are housed in the upper storey.
In both the shrines, Lord Buddha is placed in the attitude of preaching. The
representation of Temptation of Mara and Miracle of Sravasti are the
significant paintings. Sculptural portrayal of Buddha in a variety of postures and
attitudes can also be noticed in this cave.
Cave
9- It is flaunted not only with sculptures but also with
wonderful frescoes.
Cave
11- The sculpture of Lord Buddha is connected to a stupa.
It is an intermingling of image and stupa worship.
Cave
12 and Cave 13- Gorgeous paintings
that radiate in the dark and life-size and miniature sculptures are here.
Cave
15 and Cave 16- Thee caves elucidate
the illustrative marvel and point out some more astonishing aspects of
sculptures and paintings that make over the rocky cave walls.
Cave
17 - Its discriminating murals portray devotees with
offerings in the Royal Procession.
Cave
20- It is a pillar less monastery having a hall, sanctum
sanctorum, cells and a pillared verandah. A Brahmi message in the verandah is
also there. Another significant sculptural panel of this cave is the sculpture
of seven Buddhas along with attendants.
Cave
21- It is a monastery having a hall having twelve pillars
and twelve cells on three sides, pillared verandah and sanctum sanctorum. Four
are with pillared porches out of 12 cells. Seated Buddha
in preaching attitude is there in the sanctum. Trace of paintings are noticed
which consist of a panel depicting Buddha preaching a congregation.
Cave
22- This monastery houses an astylar hall, sanctum
sanctorum, four unfinished cells and a tapered verandah. On the back wall of
the shrine, Buddha seated in pralamba-padasana is carved. Painted figures of
Manushi-Buddhas with Maitreya and the sculptural depiction of Buddha in
different forms can be seen here.
Cave
23- This is again incomplete monastery housing sanctum
sanctorum, a pillared verandah, an astylar hall, antechamber and side cells.
The cave is specially celebrated for luxurious pillar décor along with
pilasters and the naga doorkeepers.
Cave
24- This is an incomplete monastery and also the second
greatest excavation following cave 4 of Ajanta. It houses
sanctum sanctorum and a pillared verandah. Outside the verandah, a chapel with
pillared porch is unearthed. The sanctum consists of a seated Buddha in
pralamba-padasana.
Cave
25- This monastery consists of a pillared verandah, an
astylar hall and a courtyard which is enclosed and excavated at an elevated
level. Two cells are present on the left end of the verandah and there are no
cells in the hall. The hall is devoid of holy place.
Cave
26- This cave has imposing carvings from the life of Lord
Buddha. Rest of the caves consist of a lot of additional frescoes and murals. A
number of them shed light on stories from the Jataka tales and also episodes
from the Buddha’s life are depicted here. Superb sculptures are eye-catching
and their excellent detailing adds to the artistic beauty of the Caves.
Cave
26- This cave could have been component of Cave 26 and it houses two storeys, put of the two, the upper one is
to some extent collapsed. This is a monastery which consists of a hall with
antechamber, four cells and sanctum sanctorum. Inside the sanctum, Buddha is
housed in teaching attitude.
Cave
28-This cave is amongst the monasteries that are
unfinished. Only the pillared verandah of this monastery was excavated.
Cave
29- This is a fragmentary chaityagriha. It is just in the
initial stage of excavation. This cave is situated at the highest level,
positioned between Caves 20 and 21.
At
Ajanta caves, you can enjoy your day gripped by a single colossal image or get
engaged with a million illustrative delights. Each and every cave has its own
story to narrate. So visit Ajanta cave sculptures in India and find out them
for your exquisite pleasure. Don’t forget to go to the ‘viewpoint’ on the
flat-topped hill opposite the caves before you leave. You will certainly catch
an astonishing visualization of the entire cluster and the gorge.
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