Ajanta Caves – A tourist’s delight

Ajanta Caves, a part of UNESCO world heritage list, one of the greatest historical monuments in this world is located in the state of Maharashtra, in India. There are 30 caves in all of which 9th, 10th, 19th, 26th and 29th are chaitya-grihas i.e. prayer halls and the rest are monasteries. These caves, built in the earlier 2nd century BC were discovered accidentally in 1819 by a few British soldiers who were on a hunting expedition, in that area. The then British government authorities were informed about the finding and soon the Archaeologists began excavating them.

The caves are scooped out on a huge horseshoe shaped rock and a pathway for the pedestrians, scooped out from the same rock, runs as a crescent along them.Walking on this, you can have a magnificent view of the ravine of Waghur river below. .

Paintings – the masterpieces

All the caves are rock-cut and have colorful paintings on the walls of the verandahs, inner walls as will as the ceilings. They are the most beautiful masterpieces of art. Most of the paintings on the walls and the ceilings are believed to have been started during the 2nd century BC and continued through the 5^th century AD to the next two centuries. All paintings centre around Buddha, Bodhisattvas-the future Buddhas, important incidents from the life of Buddha and the Jataka stories pertaining to Buddha’s previous incarnations.

Stupas

Besides the paintings there are also Stupas – the symbolic Buddhist mounds; Viharas - the cells meant for the monks.There are also giant sculptures of Buddha, Bodhisattvas – the potential Buddhas, Taras - female Buddhist divinities, and Dwarapalas -Gatekeepers each one an exquisite piece of art and a product of a very high degree of craftsmanship..

Inscriptions

Archaeologists also found an inscription of the King Harisena, of the Vakataka dynasty of the 5th-6th century A.D. in cave No.17. It became evident that perhaps the local Vakatakas had relations, thought marriage, with the great Gupta kings of north India.

For many years, historians, archaeologists, scholars, art enthusiast from all over the world, have been visiting the Ajanta caves. Millions of pilgrims and tourists from every corner of the globe flock to see and admire Ajanta caves every year.

You will be amazed at the way these caves and the work of art in them depict very beautifully the evolution of Buddhism form Hinayana to Mahayana.Hinayana was the phase of Buddhism that preached abstinence and denial of worldly comforts and pleasures asking the followers to practice the eightfold path of virtuous conduct, because Buddha was not a god (unlike other Hindu gods and goddesses) who could be worshiped and asked for worldly blessings. Perhaps under the influence of Hinduism, Mahayana phase, the more liberal form of Buddhism evolved that preached acceptance of desire, promised Nirvana. By the time the last Ajanta cave was carved Buddha had become almost a god and Buddhism had very interesting mythology and imagery parallel to Hinduism.There are stories of Buddha being a lotus, an elephant and a prince in earlier incarnations, beautifully depicted in these caves..

Ajanta can be reached both by air and by train from Mumbai (Bombay) or Delhi.Aurangabad is the nearest Air port which is well connected with both these cities by air. In case you want to travel by train, Jalgaon is the nearest railway station, with regular trains from Mumbai. From Aurangabad or Jalgaon you can hire a cab or ride a bus to Ajanta.The caves remain open to tourists on all days except Mondays from 9.00 AM to 5.30 PM. A visit to Ajanta is a life enriching spiritual experience.