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Ajanta Caves in Details


Ajanta Caves (75 40' E;20 30'N) are famous for thier murals which are the finest survining examples of indian art,particularly painting.These caves were excavated
in horse-shoe shaped bend of rock scarp nearly 76 mtr. in hight overlooking a narrow
stream known as Waghora
  The location of valley provided a calm and serene enviroment for the Buddhist
Monk who retreated at the secluded places during the rainy season.Each cave was connected to the stream by a flight of steps,which are now almost obliterated,albeit
traces of some could be notices at some places.In all 30 caves were hewn out of the
Living rock in different periods according to the necessity
Out of these ,Five (cave no 9,10,19,26 and 29) are Chaityagrihas and the rest are viharas.In Date and Style also these caves can be divided into two broad groups.Out of the 30 Caves 6 caves belongs to the
earliest phase of buddhism i.e Hinayana.Caves 9 & 10 which are Chaityagrihas and 8,12,13 & 15 A which are Viharas belong to this phase.
These caves are datable to the pre-Christion era,the ealiest among them being caves 10 dating from the second century B.C where the object of worship is a stupa.

These caves are imitaion of contemporary wooden constructions even to the extent of fixing of wooden rafters and beams to the celling even through they are non-functional.
These early caves were painted but noting substantial has survived.Caves No.9 and 10 Clearly show some vestiges of painting. The headgear,omaments of the images in these painting reseble
the base relief sculpture of sanchi and Bharhut.

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The AJANTA CAVES or Caves of Ajanta is world's greatest historical monument recognised by UNESCO far near from Jalgaon city of Maharashtra, India. There are 30 caves in Ajanta of which 9, 10, 19, 26 and 29 are chaitya-grihas and the rest are monasteries. These caves were discovered in AD 1819 and were built up in the earlier 2nd century BC-AD. Most of the paintings in Ajanta are right from 2nd century BC-AD and some of them about the fifth century AD and continued for the next two centuries. All paintings shows heavy religious influence and centre around Buddha, Bodhisattvas, incidents from the life of Buddha and the Jatakas. The paintings are executed on a ground of mud-plaster in the tempera technique
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Ajanta Caves

The Mahayaan monastery(35.7*21.6 m) is one of the best caves at Ajanta. On the basis of paleography it belongs to 6 th -7th century A.D. It consists of a verandah,a hypostylar hall,an antechamber,sanctum with two sub shrines,chapel and a group of cells.Lord Buddha is enshrined in the sactum flanked be celestial nymphs and Bodhisttavas.The Western sub-shrine of the sanctum houses the figures of Shankhanidhi-Padmandi(Gods of Prosperirty), while the Eastern sub-shrine of the sanctum containsthe figures of Hariti-Panchika(Symbol of Motherhood). The massive pillars and doorframes are elaborately caves with designs and decorated with painting in the hall,antechamber,verandah and chapels.Then painting contain some of the Finest circle desing drain in contrasting colors,which still retain their brightness and lustre. The wall of the sanctum and antechamber are painter with countless figures of lord buddha,while those of the halls are painted with illustrations of the former birth ...
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