Ajanta Caves, Aurangabad

I remember my school days when I studied about Ajanta  Caves -  a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since then I had fantasised to see the caves which depict the story of Buddhism, spanning the period from 200 BC to 650 AD.

Our journey began from Aurangabad city at around  9.00 am. From there on it was just wide roads, songs, and absolute merry making.  A two and half hours journey from Aurangabad will take you to Ajanta caves, Maharashtra, India.

The road journey from Aurangabad to Ajanta caves is very scenic. The  travel through wide and almost empty roads, paddy fields on both sides and rolling hills was really exciting. Stop to take a few pictures before you drive to the next place.

Enroute a pit stop for break fast.  After two and half hour journey which covered 104 kms from Aurangabad, we reached the Ajanta Caves. Ample car parking is available in the parking area.

Then a short walk towards busbay through the market. The market has food joints and stalls selling handicrafts, paintings etc. No private vehicle is allowed to reach caves. You can catch shuttle bus which is running between market and caves. The journey will take around 10 minutes and will cost only Rs.15 per ticket. They will drop you near the caves ticket counter.

EXPLORING AJANTA CAVES

The entry ticket to Ajanta is Rs 10 for Indian Nationals and Rs 250 for foreign nationals. After taking entry ticket, we were all set to explore Ajanta caves. The caves are carved out of  basalt rock of a cliff. There are a total of 30 caves dug into the Satmala range of mountains.  There is a paved pathway running across the cliff over the U-shaped river gorge to reach  the caves.

Cave 1  has a front-court with cells fronted by pillared halls on either side. This cave features superb murals and imperial quality paintings. Cave No.1 has the most famous of all Ajanta images, the Bodhisatva Padmapani, with lotus flower in hand. Another one is the picture of Avalkoteshwara in shades of gold and the pearl necklace around his neck looks beautiful. The ceilings are also painted with sophisticated and elaborate decorative design.

Cave 1, Ajanta Caves, Aurangabad

Cave 2 is similar to Cave 1 but in better state of preservation. The cave has robust pillars-ornamented with designs.

Cave 2, Ajanta Caves, Aurangabad

Cave 3 is merely a start of an excavation. Cave 4 boast of some of the most divine sculptures. It consists of a verandah, a hypostyle hall, sanctum with an antechamber and a series of unfinished cells.

Cave 4, Ajanta Caves, Aurangabad

Caves 5 and 6 are viharas. Cave 6 is two viharas, one above the other, connected by internal stairs, with sanctuaries on both levels.  The upper floor of the cave has many private votive sculptures, and a shrine of Lord Buddha.

Cave 7 has  two porticos, a shrine room and a small room leading to the main one. This cave has no central hall.

CAVE 9,10

Both the caves are stupa containing worship halls of chaitya-griha form. Both the caves have lot of mural paintings both on the walls and the pillars.

Entrance of cave no. 9.( left)

Cave 10 is similar to cave 9. The cave consists of a central hall, pillars, paintings on walls and ceilings and a stupa.

Cave 10 tempera ( left from the 2nd raw)

Caves 12, 13, and 15A are viharas.

Cave 16, 17 have two great stone elephants at the entrance. The image of the Buddha preaching,  couples and their everyday life,  the 'coming of Sinhala' are some of the art in Cave 17.

Scenes from the Jataka tales ( 2nd from 2nd row), The prince (Prince Vijaya) is seen in both groups of elephants and riders. ( mid photo on the second row).

Other notable paintings on  cave 17 include the flying Apsara painting, a princess applying makeup, lovers in scenes of dalliance, and a wine drinking scene of a couple with the woman and man amorously seated, while attendants watch them.

Ceiling outside cave 17 ( 2nd from raw 1)

Cave 19 have high ribbed roofs carved into the rock with stupa, idols and paintings.

Cave 21 is a a partially built vihara.



Like Cave 21, Cave 24 is also a partially built vihara.

Cave 28 is an abandoned incomplete cave.

Cave 26  has a second period Mahayana style worship hall with stupa and idols. It has complete chaitya halls. Sleeping Buddha is one of the best carving in this cave.

At the end of the cave complex, you will get a full view of the Ajanta caves which is a landmark for the development of Buddhism in India.

Then we climbed  the top of the hills from where one can see entire caves in 120 degree view.

I got a beautiful view of  Waghora River falling down the hill and it was really marvelous.

We continued our walk  on the top of the hills. I noticed marble  layers in between the rocks.  And I tried to collect some marbles stones. Small pieces of stones with different colors look attractive. I watched few people collecting those stone pieces and selling them for high prices.

Soon we came out of the cave complex. MTDC canteen facility is available.

Monks walking in cave area

It was truly an archaeological class excursion for us.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

Entry time is restricted from 9 am to 5.50 pm
Use of additional light is not allowed inside the caves
Eatables not allowed in the caves premises
Video shooting is not allowed inside the cave
Photography with camera stand and flash light is not allowed inside the caves