Thursday, January 10, 2019

Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Maharashtra



Ajanta Caves, Buddhist monument caves, which are located in Maharashtra, India, cut about 29 rocks, which are from the second century BC. Here are excellent specimens of illustration and craftsmanship related to Buddhism, along with live depictions  also occur. These caves are located adjacent to the village called Ajanta, which is in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. (Coordinate: 20 ° 30 '75 ° 40' P.) Ajanta Caves has been declared UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. "

According to 'National Geographic' ': The flow of faith was such that it appears that, for centuries, almost all Buddhist temples, including Ajanta, were built under the rule and shelter of Hindu kings.


A panoramic view of Ajanta Caves from 8 Km away; Its size is like a horse trunk.

Ajanta Caves - A View from the Ticket Office

Jataka stories from Ajanta caves
Caves surrounded by a dense forest, the Horse Null shape is located 3½ km from Ajanta village in the valley. This village is situated 106 kms away from Aurangabad city of Maharashtra. Its nearest town is Jalgaon, which is 60 km away, Bhusaval is 70 km away. In the foothills of this valley, the hill stream waghur flows. Here are the total of 29 caves (officially calculated by the Indian Archaeological Survey Department), which is located in the south of a river formed by the river. Their height ranges from 35 to 110 feet.

Ajanta's monastery is a group, in which there are many Viharas (monastic residences) and Chaitya Ghar (Stupa Memorial Hall), which are built in two stages. The first phase is incorrectly referred to as the Heinean phase, which is related to the Hinayana vote of Buddhism. In fact, Hinayan is a term for immobilization, in which there is no prohibition in the form of Buddha. The cave of Ajanta 9, 10, 12, 13, 15A (the last cave was discovered in 1956 and has not yet been numbered.) Was discovered at this stage. In these excavations, Buddha has been shown in stupa or monastery form.


The excavations of the second phase were discovered after about three centuries of stability. This phase also incorrectly allows Mahayana Phase 9 to showcase the second big trunk of Buddhism, which is less hardcore, and to show Buddha in paintings or art forms directly in cow etc.) it is said. This is the name of Wakatak, the governing line of the Vatsgulam branch. The construction date of this second phase is disputed in many academics. In recent years, some majority of the signs of this have begun to be accepted in the fifth century. According to Walter M. Spink, an Ajanta expert, the Mahayana caves were constructed between 462-480 AD. The caves of Mahayana Phase are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29 Cave number 8 was considered a cave of Hinayana phase for a long time, but at present it has been declared Mahayana on the basis of facts.

Two Chaitya Ghathas were found in Mahayana, Hinayan stage, which were in Cave 9 and 10. The cave numbers of this stage are 12, 13, 15 viharas. There were three chaity houses in Mahayana Phase, which were in numbers 19, 26, 29. The last cave was unannounced from its beginning. All other caves are 1-3, 5-8, 11, 14-18, 20-25, and 27-28 viharas.

The excavations found in the excavation are of many measures, the largest of which is 52 feet, often all the square. There is also a difference in their form. Many are ordinary, so many are ornate, some of the gates of the door are made, so many are not made. All the walks are an essential component - a large hall room. Among the Vakatak steps, there have been no holy places in many, because they were only made for religious meetings and housing only; Later, holy places were added to them. Then it became a standard. In this holy place, the statue of Buddha was often sitting in a central chamber, sitting in the religion-cycle-enforcement posture. In the caves which have the latest features, there are also side-walls on the side walls, entrances to the gates and in the courtyard. The walls of the walls of many viharas are embellished with carvings. The wall is painted on walls and terraces.


In the middle of the first century, Buddhism began to be given the status of a deity, and worship began to be worshiped. As a result, Buddha was made the center of worship. This led to Mahayana.

In the past, academics divided the caves into three groups, but considering the evidence and refusing it, it was rejected. According to that principle, a group from 200 B.C. to 200 AD was considered as the second group of the sixth century and the third group was the seventh century.

Expression cave temples used by the Anglo-Indians for treats were considered inappropriate. Ajanta was a type of college monastery. Hein Tsang explains that Dinnag, a famous Buddhist philosopher, philosopher, who was the author of several texts on logic, lived here. It is still left to be certified by other evidence. Viharas were able to accommodate hundreds of people at their peak. The teachers and the students lived together here. It is very sad that no Vakataka phase cave is complete. This was due to the fact that the ruler of Wakatak descent suddenly became powerless, so that his people were in trouble too. For this reason, all the activities were interrupted and stopped all at once. It was Ajanta's last tense of the time.


Cave no. 1
This is a first step and there is no point in the sequence of other caves. This is the first cave from the eastern side on the horse-shaped shield. According to Spink, it is one of the last caves built on this site and Wakatat is towards the end of the phase. However, there is no written evidence

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