Ajantha is the worldfamed name for its gorgeous Buddhist paintings.These UNESCO recognized caves are situated at Fardapur,107 km away from Aurangabad, in Maharastra State,India. Their architectural qualities,graceful elegance and serenity sculptures attract thousands of visitors throughout the world everyday. After the decline of Buddhism the caves were completely abandoned and gradually forgotten by the world. The caves were accidently discovered by an Army Officer in the Madras Regiment of the British Army in 1819 during one of his hunting expeditions.
Ajantha caves consist of 30 in number excavated in a semi-circular scarp overlooking a narrow sinuous gorge. These were excavated from 200 BC to 650 AD. Out of 30 caves ,five caves (9,10,19,26 and 29) are Chaityas (temples),while remaining 25 caves are Viharas or monasteries. A profusion of the figures of Buddha can be seen in the façade and in the interior.
The theme of the paintings on the walls is intensely religious in tone and mostly centres round Buddha,Bodhisattavas,incidents from the life of Buddha and Jatakas presenting tales of the previous births of Gautama Buddha and the contemporary events and social life also.The ceiling decoration invariably consists of decorative patterns geometrical as well as floral. Best work on paintings is to be seen in caves 1,2,16,17 and 19.Best sculptures in caves 1,4,17,19,24 and 26.
Ajantha paintings are not technically speaking frescos,as they are painted with the aid of binding agents, but they are tempora.
Cave No 1 is the one of the finest monasteries of its kind and no other monastery at Ajantha has been so handsomely ornamented. This cave contains some of the masterpieces of the world of painting namely Padmapani and Vajrapani.
This photo was taken with available light as flash photography is probihited in Ajantha Caves
Cave no.1:Bodhisattava Padmapani
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Ajantha is the worldfamed name for its gorgeous Buddhist paintings.These UNESCO recognized caves are situated at Fardapur,107 km away from Aurangabad, in Maharastra State,India. Their architectural qualities,graceful elegance and serenity sculptures attract thousands of visitors throughout the world everyday. After the decline of Buddhism the caves were completely abandoned and gradually forgotten by the world. The caves were accidently discovered by an Army Officer in the Madras Regiment of the British Army in 1819 during one of his hunting expeditions.
Ajantha caves consist of 30 in number excavated in a semi-circular scarp overlooking a narrow sinuous gorge. These were excavated from 200 BC to 650 AD. Out of 30 caves ,five caves (9,10,19,26 and 29) are Chaityas (temples),while remaining 25 caves are Viharas or monasteries. A profusion of the figures of Buddha can be seen in the façade and in the interior.
The theme of the paintings on the walls is intensely religious in tone and mostly centres round Buddha,Bodhisattavas,incidents from the life of Buddha and Jatakas presenting tales of the previous births of Gautama Buddha and the contemporary events and social life also.The ceiling decoration invariably consists of decorative patterns geometrical as well as floral. Best work on paintings is to be seen in caves 1,2,16,17 and 19.Best sculptures in caves 1,4,17,19,24 and 26.
Ajantha paintings are not technically speaking frescos,as they are painted with the aid of binding agents, but they are tempora.
Cave No.19. A view of the main gate
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A colossal reclining Buddha figure at Cave No.26 . It is about 21 feet.
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Paintings of Buddha on the pillars
Cave No.10
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Cave No 26.
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