Ajanta Caves – India’s Buddhist Art and Architecture

by Chris Devers

The Ajanta Caves are located in the state of Maharashtra in India, close to Bombay. They can be accessed from the city of Jalgaon, which is just 25 miles away, or from Aurangabad, another nearby city.

The Ajanta Caves are considered the world’s largest monument and have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are numerous caves at Ajanta, but only 20 are in good condition. Caves No. 9, 10, 19, 26, and 29 are known as Chaitya-grihas, while the others are considered monasteries.

Dating back to the period between the 2nd century BC and the 2nd century AD, these caves were rediscovered in 1819. Apart from the stunning carvings on the cave walls, the paintings are a major attraction for tourists from around the world. Most of the paintings date back to the period between the 2nd century BC and the 2nd century AD, with some created around the 5th century AD.

It is believed that these cave paintings were created by Buddhist monks and other artists. The majority of the paintings depict religious themes, with Buddha and Bodhisattvas, a Buddhist monk, as the main characters. The artworks also illustrate stories known as Jatakas.

The materials used in these paintings were sourced locally, and the artists worked on a mud-plaster base. The technique employed seems to be tempera.

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