Finished Caves, Ajanta
Cave 1: This is one of the finest monasteries at Ajanta. Graciously posed
Bodhisattvas with elaborate headdresses flank the antechamber doorway. On its
either side are two of the best-known murals Bodhisattva Padmapani and Bodhisattva
Vajrapani holding a thunderbolt (right) accompanied by attendants, divine musicians
and flying figures.
The left wall of the antechamber depicts the assault and temptation by Mara,
the god of passion, and on the right wall is the dark princess being offered
lotuses by a lady. In the shrine, the Buddha is seen in the teaching position.
Under his throne appears the Wheel of Life. The left wall of the hall shows
scenes from the Mahajanaka Jataka. To the right of the rear wall are episodes
from the Champeyya Jataka.
Cave 2: It is remarkable for the painted ceiling with large medallions,
delicate bands of lotus flowers, scrollwork and abstract geometric patterns.
Episodes connected with the birth of the Buddha such as the dream of his mother
Maya, its interpretation by the priests and the birth of Gautama occupy the
left wall. Next of this is a representation of the Miracle of Shravasti when
the Buddha manifested himself in thousand forms.
Cave 4: Planned on a grandiose scale, but never completed, this is the
largest monastery at Ajanta. It has a central doorway embellished with guardians,
flying figures, maidens clutching trees and also images of the Buddha and Ganas,
or dwarfs, with garlands. Six gigantic standing figures of the Buddha are carved
in the walls of the antechamber.
Cave 6: Excavated on two levels, it has a splendidly carved entrance.
The lower hall has 16 octagonal columns. In the shrine is the seated Buddha
accompanied by standing Buddhas. The upper hall has only one painting, depicting
the gift by a monk.
Cave 7: Unlike the other monasteries, this one contains only two small
porticos and does not have a hall. The shrine has a seated Buddha with a halo
carved on the back wall.
Cave 9: Rectangular in plan, with a monolithic hemispherical Stupa in
the center. Traces of wall-paintings can be seen above which are figures of
the Buddha in various poses.
Cave 10: Probably the earliest cave excavated at Ajanta. The paintings,
though largely obliterated, reveal a royal personage accompanied by soldiers,
musicians and dancers, worshipping the Bodhi Tree and the Stupa. Also of interest
are the Jataka tales on the right wall.
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