What is special about Ajanta caves?
The Ajanta Caves constitute ancient monasteries and worship-halls of different Buddhist traditions carved into a 75-metre (246 ft) wall of rock. The caves also present paintings depicting the past lives and rebirths of the Buddha, pictorial tales from Aryasura’s Jatakamala, and rock-cut sculptures of Buddhist deities.
What is Ajanta famous for?
Ajanta Caves, Buddhist rock-cut cave temples and monasteries, located near Ajanta village, north-central Maharashtra state, western India, that are celebrated for their wall paintings.
Who built Ajanta caves?
According to the historians and various studies, it has been found that second phase of the construction of Ajanta caves started during the reign of Harisena, a king of Vataka dynasty. The caves constructed during this period belonged to the Mahayana sect of Buddhism.
How did Ajanta cave get its name?
Approximately 67 miles (107 km) to the north of Aurangabad in the Indhyadri range of Western Ghats lie the caves of Ajanta. Its current name is derived from a neighbouring village, the local pronunciation of which is Ajintha. It would be of interest to note, that Ajita is the colloquial name of Maitreya Buddha.
Which Colour used in Ajanta caves?
The main colours used were, red ochre, yellow ochre, brown ochre, lamp black, white and lapis lazuli (blue). This last pigment was imported from Northern India, central Asia and Persia.
Who was the first discovered Ajanta caves answer?
The caves at Ajanta date from the 2nd century B.C.E. to 650 C.E and were cut into the mountainside in two distinct phases. Discovered by chance in 1819 by British soldiers on a hunt, the Ajanta Caves have become an icon of ancient Indian art, and have influenced subsequent artists and styles.
Who lived in the Ajanta caves?
The Ajanta Caves were a sanctuary for Buddhist monks that was forgotten, along with its stunning riches, for nearly 1,500 years.
Who destroyed Ajanta caves?
In 1682, A muslim ruler Aurangzeb hired 1000 workers for three years only to destroy this temple completely. Even after continuous efforts workers couldn’t destroy the temple. They could only damage and distort some carvings. At last Aurangzeb gave up and left the temple as it is.
When was Ajanta caves discovered?
1819
The Ajanta Caves, 30 spellbinding Buddhist prayer halls and monasteries carved, as if by sorcery, into a horseshoe-shaped rock face in a mountainous region of India’s Maharashtra state, 450km (280 miles) east of Mumbai, were ‘discovered’ by accident in 1819.
Who replicated the murals of Ajanta cave?
After this, John Griffiths, the then principal at JJ school, spent nearly two decades in replicating the paintings at the caves along with few students from the school,” said Vishwanath Sabale, dean, Sir JJ School of Art.
Who replicate the murals of Ajanta caves?
The Government of Bombay commissioned new copies of the Ajanta cave paintings in 1872 from John Griffiths, principal of the Bombay School of Art. Griffiths and his students produced 300 paintings, only for a third to go up in flames at London’s Imperial Institute in 1885.
How old are Ajanta caves paintings?
They are universally regarded as masterpieces of Buddhist religious art. The caves were built in two phases, the first starting around the 2nd century BCE and the second occurring from 400 to 650 CE, according to older accounts, or in a brief period of 460–480 CE according to later scholarship.
What are the interesting facts about Ajanta Caves?
1. Ajanta Caves were discovered by a British Officer during his hunting spree in 1819. 2. Ajanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 3.
How many caves are there in Aurangabad?
Situated in the city, Aurangabad caves were carved during the sixth and seventh century from soft rock. There are 10 caves in total divided into 2 locations – Eastern Group Caves and Western Group Caves. Both locations are 1 km apart and people from every corner of the country visit in numbers to witness this historical marvel.
Why should you visit Ellora Caves and Ajanta Caves?
Ajanta Caves display Viharas and Buddhist monasteries and Ellora Caves consists of religious centers for Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain. A photographer’s paradise you can take some marvelous shots and take back home ample of fond memories.
Which is the oldest cave in India?
The Ajanta Caves are one of the oldest UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. The carvings and paintings at Ajanta date back to the beginning of the era of classical Indian art. Th Ajanta caves along with the ones ta Ellora are some of the most beautiful caves in India.