David Kotz

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  1. Travel
  2. 2009

Ajanta

The Ajanta caves are incredible for their exquisite paintings; the architecture is not as impressive as that at Ellora. Built in two phases, 200 B.C. to 100 A.D. and from 400 A.D. to 600 A.D., these Buddhist caves were carved into the side of a river gorge. They worked top down and outside in, carving the black basalt, then they coated the carvings with plaster and detailed paintings. They were lost until rediscovery in 1819. See blog at https://davidkotz.org/2009/01/24/ellora-ajanta/.
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  • Ajanta: An introduction; note the shape of the river gorge.

    Ajanta: An introduction; note the shape of the river gorge.

  • Andy is ready to explore Ajanta caves.

    Andy is ready to explore Ajanta caves.

  • Ajanta: the caves are cut into the cliffside of this river gorge.

    Ajanta: the caves are cut into the cliffside of this river gorge.

  • Ajanta: for a fee, you can hire a chair to carry you up the steps.

    Ajanta: for a fee, you can hire a chair to carry you up the steps.

  • Ajanta: the river makes a sharp bend here; note viewpoint at top center.

    Ajanta: the river makes a sharp bend here; note viewpoint at top center.

  • Ajanta

    Ajanta

    Ajanta: from that view point, this view shows some of the caves.

  • A video panorama of the Ajanta cave system, from an overlook on the opposite cliff.

    A video panorama of the Ajanta cave system, from an overlook on the opposite cliff.

  • Ajanta: the white streaks hint at the waterfalls of rainy season.

    Ajanta: the white streaks hint at the waterfalls of rainy season.

  • Ajanta: Cave 1, paintings.

    Ajanta: Cave 1, paintings.

  • Ajanta: Cave 1, paintings.

    Ajanta: Cave 1, paintings.

  • Ajanta: Buddha, larger than life; note everything is painted.

    Ajanta: Buddha, larger than life; note everything is painted.

  • Ajanta: Buddha's guardians.

    Ajanta: Buddha's guardians.

  • Ajanta: unfinished guardians.

    Ajanta: unfinished guardians.

  • Ajanta: just a sense of how grand are these "caves".

    Ajanta: just a sense of how grand are these "caves".

  • Andy explores an unfinished cave at Ajanta.

    Andy explores an unfinished cave at Ajanta.

  • John, Andy, Mara explore unfinished cave at Ajanta.

    John, Andy, Mara explore unfinished cave at Ajanta.

  • Ajanta: Pam visits Budda in cave 6.

    Ajanta: Pam visits Budda in cave 6.

  • John examines the sculpture at Ajanta.

    John examines the sculpture at Ajanta.

  • Ajanta: hundreds of Buddha.

    Ajanta: hundreds of Buddha.

  • Ajanta: Cave 9 (1st century BC) predates use of idols (Hinayana style).

    Ajanta: Cave 9 (1st century BC) predates use of idols (Hinayana style).

  • Ajanta: distant view of cave 10; modern screening protects entry.

    Ajanta: distant view of cave 10; modern screening protects entry.

  • Ajanta: Cave 10, the first made (2nd century B.C.) and first discovered.

    Ajanta: Cave 10, the first made (2nd century B.C.) and first discovered.

  • Ajanta: An inscription on Cave 10's entry arch.

    Ajanta: An inscription on Cave 10's entry arch.

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    Ajanta: distant view of cave 10; modern screening protects entry.
    Ajanta: Cave 10, the first made (2nd century B.C.) and first discovered.
    Ajanta: An inscription on Cave 10's entry arch.