Ajanta Caves - Mysteries of Ajanta Caves: Masterpiece of Ancient Indian Art and Architecture
Ajanta Caves Carved out of rocks, in the path of a huge valley, the beautiful picturesque Ajanta Caves are one of the best examples of early Buddhist architecture, cave painting and sculpture. These caves have chaitya halls dedicated to Buddha, viharas, where Buddhist cave dwellers used to meditate and study Buddhist teachings.
Some important events of Buddha’s life and divine images of Buddhism have been carved on the walls and inner ceilings of these caves. Other beautiful paintings depict various stories of Jataka tales, previous births of Bodhisattvas, who came to take initiation to become Buddha.
After being busy for 1300 years, suddenly Ajanta Caves seem to have been forgotten. It seemed to have been hidden in the darkness of time, but in 1819, British army officer John Smith of the Madras Regiment came across these caves while out hunting tigers. Smith saw the mouth of the cave above the Waghora river and entered inside the cave to find a hall with faded paintings. The opening from where John Smith first saw these caves is a valley passage with beautiful natural scenery, which presents a horseshoe shaped view.
The Ajanta Caves are built on flood basalt and granite rock types. In 1983, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These caves are at a height of 56 meters and their total area is 550 meters. These drain shaped caves are spread over the hill rocks of Ajanta. It has a special place here, cave number 8 is found at the bottom while cave number 29 is situated on the top of the hill.
When and how were Ajanta Caves built?
A total of 26 caves can be seen here, out of which caves 6, 10, 16, 26 and 29 are in the form of Chaitya worship places and the rest are famous for Vihars and Ashrams.
The success for Ajanta caves was achieved after tireless excavation work till about the fourth century. This excavation work was done during the rule of King Vakataka. The last 50 years of the 5th century and the first 50 years of the sixth century, the years during these centuries were considered to be the golden age for sculpture and painting. After the 7th century, the excavation work of these caves slowed down. Some of the caves that remained incomplete are still worth seeing. The biggest feature of these caves is that, while carving the caves here, the sculpture of the cave has been created starting from the roof till the bottom. The tools used to make these caves were tikaav, kudal and later chisel and hammer. Pillars have been provided at various places and small and big halls have been made. While making the caves, the work of cleaning the rocks and painting the sculptures made in it appears to have been done simultaneously. And first the front part of the cave was made visible and then the work inside was done. This shows that the aim of the artists was to first create a beautiful drawing hall and then create the inner spaces. After seeing all this, the hard work of those artists, their dedication towards their work and the art of their hands can be seen at various places, due to which the caves of Ajanta are famous all over the world even today.
Ajanta Caves are still an unmatched example of sculpture and are suitable for practice. If seen from the point of view of excavation and carving, the importance of these creations, which are recognized all over the world, is matchless. These caves were carved between 5th and 7th century and are a symbol of a very high art today. Every visitor here is delighted by the spirituality, happiness and beauty of the art. The importance of the sculpture here is highlighted more because of the contemporary Buddha statue located in Sarnath, because many such statues have been excavated here.
The work of creating the caves here has been done in two different periods. In the first period, the work of painting the statues and art objects was done as samples, this can be guessed after seeing cave number 6 and 10. This work seems to have been completed during the first and second century. The clothes worn on these statues, their faces and ornaments are worth seeing. By looking at them, we can guess how much pain the artists have taken in making them. This is the reason why this art is becoming more popular in our country even today.
The brilliance of the architecture of Ajanta Caves
In the second period of painting i.e. in the fourth and fifth century, this work continued for two centuries. Its initial period was the period of the Vakataka kings. In this period, the work of painting increased rapidly. The paintings of cave number 1, 2, 16 and 17 are unmatched and the magic of the hands of the artists is visible here. The paintings made in these caves are of very high standard and every visitor who comes here is stunned to see the beauty, artistry, colors and composition here.
If we look at the subjects presented on the walls here, they revolve around Buddha and Bodhisattva and also show a part of their Dhamma. The stories and Jataka tales based on the life of Buddha inscribed in them and the beauty visible in them, the path shown by the preachers is going to guide the students coming here. They depict the life of a man from birth to death, based on the previous life of men and women, from kings to slaves, rich to poor, saints to wicked people, kind to cruel people, love and hate, joy and sorrow, victory and defeat and many different shades. But these scenes based on Dhamma are the mirror of royal courts, cities, towns, big houses and ashrams. These have helped us a lot in finding the lifestyle, clothes, ornaments, different types of music, utensils, weapons suitable for war etc. of that period. They have presented the depiction of different castes and religions of man in such a way that those people also believed in gods and goddesses like Yaksha, Kinnar, Gandharva and Apsara etc. and that is why they presented everyone. From the point of view of Vastushastra, different categories of Vihars, palaces and tents are unique, along with big doors and walls built for the protection of the fort, stupas are also kept ready.
Different shades are shown in detail in the paintings made on the ceiling. Such as flowers, trees, fruits, birds, animals, humans, by looking at this, it becomes clear how much grasp he had on all these subjects.
If we talk about painting, it seems that first he used to take a mixture of metal-mixed clay, small pieces of stones found in rocks, fibers of plants, rice husk, sand and apply all these on the wall before painting. Finally, the wall was washed with lemon water and then it was ready for painting. The method of applying colors was also simple. Before painting, the outline was drawn and different colors were applied.
The colour combinations here are not the same; wherever required, colours have been used as per the need. That is why the style of painting here has become famous all over the world as the Ajanta style of painting and has created its own distinct identity.
Amazing paintings of Ajanta Caves
Cave No. 1 is a large hall built on twenty pillars. The pillars have beautiful designs carved on them. The paintings depict Jataka tales, which are based on the previous lives of Mahatma Buddha. The shrine has a huge statue of Buddha whose face shows a serious expression when light is thrown on it from the right side. And when light is thrown from the left side, the expressions of penance and peace are shown.
On the outer wall is a painting of Mara, the god of love, who is stopping Buddha from doing penance. Another painting depicts Buddha in many postures. The assembly hall on the left depicts the Shibi Jataka tale, in which King Shibi is seen saving a pigeon from the clutches of a hawk.
The Nagraj or Serpent King with a woman sitting on a chariot is also a scene of that place. On a wall near the shrine is the world famous Padmapani pose. This famous painting of Mahatma Buddha rivals the Italian contemporary painting.
As far as portrait art is concerned, this is one of the best portraits of the world. The lotus in the hand of Mahatma Buddha is a symbol of peace and purity. Near the Padmapani is a female figure, who is only wearing ornaments on her body.
A scene of a court is shown, in which foreign dignitaries are presenting gifts to Indian kings. There is also a picture of Buddha’s mother Mayavathi taking a bath. There is a picture of some animals fighting in the arena. There are paintings of many birds, flowers and fruits on the ceiling, these designs are copied on shawls and saris today. Some other scenes are shown, one such amazing painting is of a bull which if seen from any corner, seems as if it will attack the viewer.
Cave No. 2 On the left side of the cave, the story of the birth of a swan is depicted. Buddha’s mother is narrating her dream to the king. Buddha’s parents are depicted loving him. There is a Buddha figure in the room on the left, with a group of swans on the ceiling. Other paintings show many items from the modern Jung, such as mufflers, purses and slippers. In front of the place of worship is an arena, which has many Buddha figures. The ceiling has such beautiful carvings and paintings that these designs are being imprinted on the Himroo sarees and shawls made here today. There are many pillars in the assembly hall.
Cave No. 3 is an unfinished cave.
Cave number 4 This is the largest cave, which has 28 pillars. The entrance has normal gatekeepers. Inside the prayer room, there are 6 standing statues of Mahatma Buddha, which are shown protecting from Ashtabhaya.
Cave number 5 This is incomplete and has some Buddha figures.
Cave number 6 This cave has two floors. In the assembly hall, there is a Buddha figure in Padmasana Mudra. The assembly hall in the second floor has pillars. The entrance has crocodile and flower decorations.
Cave number 7 This cave is different, it has only two small pavilions, but no room.
Cave number 8 There is nothing in this cave.
Cave number 9 This cave has been built in the middle of a rectangular area in the form of a semicircular stupa from a single boulder. A glimpse of painting can be seen on the upper ceiling of this cave, on which pictures of Buddha in various postures have been carved.
Cave number 10 This is a Hinayana temple, which has about 40 pillars, which are carved very beautifully. It also has a stupa on which inscription is inscribed in the Brahma script of Pali language. Which shows that this cave is from the 2nd century BC. This inscription tells that the merchant selling bamboo and timber had built the mouth of this cave. This is a Hinayana synonym cave.
The assembly hall of cave number 11 is very large. And inside the place of worship, there is a figure of Lord Buddha.
Cave number 12 This is a Hinayana synonym vihara, here there is a plan of a bed made of stones.
Cave number 13 and 14 are the store room of archeology.
Cave number 15 Here in the vihara house there is the main mandap, assembly mandap and the statue of Lord Buddha.
Cave number 16 This cave has very important paintings. Events from Buddha’s life are depicted here. In the scene on the left, Buddha’s brother Nanda is shown, who has given up worldly pleasures and has become a monk.
One scene shows Nanda’s mother Mahaprajapati, she is lying unconscious. And a nurse is taking care of her.
The painting of Kathakali dance is also praiseworthy. There is a huge statue of Buddha in the inner shrine. The pictures of elephant, horse and crocodile are worth seeing here. The painting of the ceiling is also very beautiful and attractive.
One picture is of Buddha’s mother, in which she is narrating a dream to her husband and the astrologer is explaining the meaning of this dream. This painting has a 3D effect. The incidents of Buddha’s childhood, the pictures are as if lifelike. It is as if wood work has been done on stones.
Cave number 17 Many incidents from Buddha’s life and Jataka tales are described here. The assembly hall is very beautiful and there is a statue of Buddha in the shrine. On the left is a scene from Buddha’s previous life, the story of an elephant who had become enlightened. One day he found out that people were hungry. So he told people to go down the cliff. There they would get food. As soon as people went down, the elephant jumped off the cliff. So that he died. And the hungry people could eat his body to fill their stomachs. Buddha is shown as a kind prince and there is an interesting scene where he is meeting his family after he has given up worldly things.
He is shown begging alms from his wife Princess Yashodhara and son Rahul. In another picture, Buddha has taken on a huge body. The king and his ministers are standing in front of Buddha with lamps in their hands. The gist of which is that they will illuminate the world with Buddha’s thoughts.
The ceiling here is so beautifully made and painted that it looks like a cloth with borders on all sides. Fairy tales are depicted on the ceiling. There are paintings in the verandah too. Which depicts the multiplicity of life. Then there is a painting of an elephant which Devadatta had brought to kill Buddha. But Buddha tamed that crazy elephant too. There is also a very beautiful painting of an Apsara. d
Cave number 18 This is a rectangular dug cave. Which leads to the second chamber. It has a water tank.
Cave number 19 This is a horse shoe shaped monastery and there are Buddha figures here. On the left side, the Naga king is shown with his wife. And on the right side, Buddha is seen taking alms from his wife and son. There is a stupa with three umbrellas and the figure of Buddha is carved on the stupa.
Cave number 20 Buddha is shown preaching in the place of worship. There are various designs on the pillars. There is a wooden symbolism on the ceiling.
Cave No. 21 Although this monastery is partially complete, it has many beautifully decorated pillars. The remains of a magnificent painting can be seen on the left wall, in which Lord Buddha is seen preaching to the religious community. The goddess of prosperity Hariti has been carved on the altar present on the edge of the verandah, on whose right side her servants and on the left side the court of Nagaraj have been depicted.
Cave No. 22 This cave is incomplete. Still, there is a very beautiful painting on its right wall in which the Sangha is shown standing under the Bodhi tree.
Cave No. 23 This too remained incomplete.
Cave No. 24 This would have been the most beautiful of all the caves if the cave was not incomplete. It is the largest in area. Its grandeur and artistry are very beautiful and praiseworthy.
Cave No. 25 This is an incomplete monastery. In which there is no place of worship, nor any room, it is only a courtyard.
Cave number 26 The inner part of the Chaitya chamber of this cave is adorned with intricately carved Buddha figures. In the main stupa, there is a huge statue of Buddha in a sitting posture in the pavilion. There are two stories depicted on the left wall. In the first picture, the temptation of the love god Mara is depicted and a huge statue of Buddha is carved in a lying down posture. This is a depiction of the birth and death of Buddha
