Ajanta Caves - Maharashtra, India - Travel & Discover

The Ajanta Caves are cut from volcanic lava of the Deccan Plateau in the forest ravines of the salutary hills in the Indian state of Maharashtra. These caves were chosen by the monks for their spiritual pursuits due to the natural beauty of the area. They date back to the period of Buddhism's predominance in India, from the 2nd century BC to the 6th century AD.

The Ajanta Caves were initially created reflecting the Buddhist spirituality of their creators. However, with the rise of Hinduism as India's dominant religion in the 6th century, the caves fell into disuse and were buried under debris on the jungle-covered slopes. They remained hidden until 1819 when a British cavalry officer named John Smith rediscovered them.

The Ajanta site consists of 30 monastic caves and prayer halls intricately built and adorned with paintings and sculptures, which are considered masterpieces of Buddhist religious art. The caves are of two basic designs: chaitya grihas (Buddhist cathedrals) and viharas (monasteries). Five of the caves (numbers 9, 10, 19, 26, and 29) are chaitya girahs, while the other 25 are viharas. The earlier group of caves belongs to the Hinayana sect from the 2nd century BC, while the later group belongs to the Mahayana sect dating from roughly 450 to 650 AD.

The caves are numbered from east to west, from 1 to 29. In ancient times, each cave was independently accessed from the riverfront. Today, a terraced path connects the caves. The caves were used as a refuge by monks during the monsoon season when the dry riverbed would be filled with running water. Cave number 26, for example, has a splendidly carved entrance and a large arched window that allowed light into the cave.

The Ajanta Caves feature various sculptures and paintings depicting Buddhist themes, including images of the Buddha, his attendants, flying figures, lion heads, and foliage. The caves showcase the skill and artistry of their creators. Some of the caves, like cave number 23, remain unfinished but still exhibit elaborate decorations, including pillars and pilasters adorned with sculpted decorations.

One of the notable caves is cave number 19, dating to the 5th century. It is a chaitya girah with a sculptural program depicting Buddha ordained and his successors. The interior of the cave depicts a standing Buddha with drapery covering his body and a three-tiered umbrella above him. The cave is adorned with sculpted panels of the Buddha, flying celestials, mounted riders, vegetation, and lion heads.

The Ajanta Caves are a remarkable testament to Buddhist art and spirituality and continue to be an important cultural and historical site in India.

The Ajanta Caves are a renowned UNESCO World Heritage site located in Maharashtra, India. They are known for their elaborate pilasters, astonishing frescoes, and beautifully chiseled walls adorned with a series of ravishing paintings in dazzling colors. The caves consist of monasteries, halls, sanctums, and cells, each showcasing unique architectural and artistic features.

One of the remarkable caves is Cave 17a, a monastery composed of a spacious hall surrounded by 17 cells on three sides, with a vestibule and a sanctum containing an image of Buddha. What sets this cave apart is the number of well-preserved murals it houses. These murals depict maidens, celestial musicians, Buddha's celestial guardians, goddesses, lotus petals, and scrollwork. The cave's interior is profusely carved with pillars, a monolithic carved symbolic stupa, and images of the Buddha, representing the introduction of the Mahayana phase.

The paintings in the Ajanta Caves illustrate the events in the life of Prince Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, as well as the popular Jataka tales recounting Buddha's previous incarnations. The caves showcase the artistry and storytelling of the Buddhist monks, depicting kindness, mercy, and the concept of transmigration before achieving enlightenment.

Cave 16 is one of the largest and most recent monasteries in Ajanta. It features a combined media of painting and sculpture adorning its dark interiors. The cave houses a giant statue of Buddha in a teaching gesture. The paintings in the Ajanta Caves were once in better condition but have deteriorated over time. Copies of the paintings that have since disappeared from the caves are preserved in the School of Art in Mumbai.

Cave 9, dating from the Him Ayana period, is a tightener with an entrance façade featuring a large tiger arch framing a window. The cave contains a large liturgical hall with a monolithic stone stupa carved from the living rock. The wall paintings in the Ajanta Caves were made using pigments derived from pebbles and vegetables found in the surrounding hills, resulting in vibrant colors.

Throughout the Ajanta Caves, numerous sculptures and murals capture the grace, sublimity, and spirituality associated with Buddhism. The caves, with their extensive paintings and sculptures, showcase the artistic achievements of ancient India and have had a lasting influence on the development of art in the country. The site continues to attract scholars, experts, pilgrims, and tourists from around the world.