Ajanta
Caves The
Ajanta caves consist of 30 Caves including the unfinished
ones, dating back from 200 BC to 250 AD. These caves
are situated 104 kms from Aurangabad and 52 kms from
Jalgaon Railway Station. The caves are cut from the
volcanic lava of the Deccan in the forest ravines
of the Sahyadri Hills and are set in beautiful sylvan
surroundings. They were discovered accidentally by
a British Captain, John Smith in 1819, while on a
hunting expedition. Ajanta provides a unique combination
of architecture, sculpture and paintings. Two basic
types of monastic Buddhist architecture are preserved
at Ajanta, the Chaitya or prayer hall (Cave Nos. 9,10,19,26
& 29) and Vihara or monastery (remaining 25 Caves).
These caves suggest a well defined form of architecture,
broadly resolving into two phases with a time gap
of about 4 Centuries from each other. In the Hinayana
Phase are included two Chaitya Halls (Cave Nos. 9&10)
and 4 Viharas (Cave Nos. 8, 12, 13 & 15A). In
the Mahayana Phase are included 3 Chaityas (Cave nos.
19 & 26 and 29 being incomplete) and 11 exquisite
Viharas (Cave Nos. 1,2,4,6,7,11,15,17 and 20 to 24).
|
Entrance
to the Ajanta Caves The Ajanta sculptures of the Mahayana
Phase establish a formal religious imagery. While the
Hinayana monuments at the site are virtually devoid
of carvings, Cave l, is one of the finest monasteries
and the interior paintings here, are among the greatest
at Ajanta. Graciously posed Bodhisatvas namely Padmapani
and Vajrapani with elaborate headdresses flank the antechamber
doorway. The walls on the side of the antechamber depict
the assault and temptation by Mara and the miracle at
Sravasti. Scenes from the Jataka tales such as Shibi
Jataka, Samkhpala Jataka, Mahajanka Jataka, and Champeyya
Jataka are depicted in the walls of the cave. Cave 2,
monastery repeats the basic scheme of Cave 1, and is
also remarkable for its painted ceiling. The paintings
include, variety of designs, scrollwork, geometric patterns,
miniature seated Buddha's, dream of the Buddha's mother,
Maya and the birth of the Buddha, procession of female
devotees carrying offerings and scenes from the Hamsa
Jataka and Vidhurapandita Jataka. Caves 4 & 6 are
Viharas or Monasteries of architectural interest.
Cave
9, 10, 12 & 15A, are Chaitya Halls of the Hinayana
period. Cave 10 is among the first excavations at the
site and is one of the most impressive early Buddhist
Chaitya Halls in Western India dating back to the 2nd
Century BC. This cave contains both the earlier and
later groups of paintings. Scenes from the Sama Jataka
and Chhaddanta Jataka are depicted. Cave 12 has lost
its facade, with the result that the interior square
hall is now exposed. In cave 15A only portions of the
front wall survive. Cave 14, 15 & 16, are Viharas
belonging to the Mahayana Phase. Cave 14 was planned
on a large scale, but was never finished. The verandah
of cave 15 has mostly fallen. Above the doorway is a
stupa sheltered by a canopy of serpent hoods. Buddha
images appear in the shrine and on the rear wall of
the hall.
Cave
16 is one of the finest monasteries at Ajanta. Within
the hall on the left wall is an illustration of the
conversion of Nanda, Buddha's cousin. Other paintings
include the miracle of Sravasti, elephant procession,
Buddha begging for alms from his wife and son, Gautam's
first meditation, scenes from the Hasti Jataka and Maha
Ummagga Jataka. Cave 17, a vihara preserves the greatest
number of wall-paintings which includes a row of eight
Buddha's, a much damaged panel of Indra flying through
the clouds accompanied by his troupe of celestial dancers,
Apsaras and Musicians, Buddha subduing Nalagiri, the
furious elephant sent by his jealous cousin, Devadatta
and scenes from various Jataka tales such as the Chhaddanta
Jataka, Mahamapi Jataka, Vessantara Jataka, Sutasoma
Jataka, Matiposaka Jataka, Sama Jataka, Ruru Jataka
and Nigrodhamriga Jataka. Cave 19, is a perfectly executed
rock-cut Chaitya. Cave 20 is a small monastery in which
the antechamber protrudes into the hall and there are
no columns. Caves 21 to 24 represent the last examples
of work at Ajanta. They are all in different stages
of completion. Cave 26 is a Chaitya Hall larger than
that of Cave 19, but is otherwise similar in its arrangements
and decorative scheme. |
