Ajanta Caves - Aurangabad (Cathedral Style Architecture)

“Architecture is a visual art, and the buildings speak for themselves.”

 

                                AJANTA CAVES

The first Buddhist cave monuments at Ajanta date from the 2nd and 1st centuries B.C. During the Gupta period (5th and 6th centuries A.D.), many more richly decorated caves were added to the original group. The paintings and sculptures of Ajanta, considered masterpieces of Buddhist religious art, have had a considerable artistic influence.

History of Ajanta Caves.

The history of the caves is rather interesting. The caves have been built in a set of two phases centuries from each other. The first set belongs to the 2nd century BCE to the 1st century CE, whereas, the second set of the caves were built in the 5th century.

First Period Caves (Satavahana) - Caves 9, 10, 12, 13 & 15A

Caves no. 9, 10, 12, 13 and 15A were the earliest constructed caves. Most scholars and researchers agree that the caves show a heavy influence of the Hinayana or Theravada group of Buddhism. There is a debate regarding the precise time of construction. A group of researchers including Walter Spink estimate the period of construction to around 100 BCE to 100 CE. This group believes that the caves were built under the patronage of the Satavahana Dynasty. Other studies, however, date the period of construction during the reign of the Mauryan Empire.

The main distinguishing feature of the caves of the earlier period is their emphasis on the stupa structure rather than sculptures. Both caves 9 and 10 are stupa based with the worship hall and caves 12, 13 and 15A are based on the vihara (where monks reside) style of construction. Also, the Hinayana phase in Buddhism did not worship Buddha as a Hindu God. According to some records, Buddha himself forbade the painting and sculpting of his images. However, this changed in the later centuries as the Mahayana phase of Buddhism began. This school was heavily influenced by the Hindu way of worship and monks to spread the message and teachings of Buddhism resorted manifesting Buddha, his life and tales into visual representations. This is evident in the caves of the later periods.

Second Period Caves (Vakataka) - Caves 1-8, 11, 14-29

Also known as the caves from the Vakataka period there is some discrepancy over the exact time of construction. For many years it was thought that the caves were built between the 4th and 7th centuries; however, studies by Walter Spink suggest that the period of construction was, in fact, concise and lasted from 460 to 480 CE. His views and studies have been broadly accepted today.

Emperor Harishena from the Vakataka dynasty is believed to be the chief patron of the second period of caves. Caves that fall under this period are no. 1-8, 11, 14-29. These set of caves fall under the Mahayana phase of Buddhism and hence are home to stunning sculptures and paintings. The paintings and sculptures became a source of worship. This phase also started accepting women as nuns, and unlike the Hinayana school which denied pleasure, the Mahayana form was open to the desires between a man and woman. The paintings, sculptures and artworks reflect these influences.

Cave 19, 26 and 29 are chaitya Grihas or the prayer halls. The rest of the caves are viharas or abodes for monks.

Interestingly, not all Caves are complete. According to research, the incomplete caves were abandoned after the death of Harishena. Though there is evidence that the caves were in use, most probably by the monks who resided there, their numbers might have dwindled over time.

According to Spink, the first period caves were left abandoned for more than three centuries before the rule of Harishena. The king along with his Prime Minister Varahadeva and sub-king Upendragupta commissioned the digging of the new caves. The excavation was stopped around 468 because of threats from the Asmaka kings and work continued only in Cave 1 which was commissioned by Harishena and Cave 17-20 that were under Upendragupta. By 472 however, all work stopped as the Asmaka kings took over the territory. Though work started again, it was stopped again at the death of Harishena in 477.

Only Cave 26 continued to be under construction because the Asmaka kings commissioned it. From 478-480, no new caves were built, but a lot was added to the already existing ones. These changes were minor additions, such as adding statues and smaller shrines and were seen primarily on the façade, walls of the inside caves and the returning sides of the entrance. Spink’s chronology was based on the dating of the nearby caves, style of the arts, the chronology of the dynasties and the many incomplete features of the caves. Other historical references of the Ajanta Caves are found in the Chinese traveller Xuanzang’s records, as well as in Ain-i-Akbari a 17th-century account by Abu Fazal.

Architecture of Ajanta Caves.

Ajanta Caves were built from the Basalt accumulated in the form of igneous rocks. These rocks were accumulated due to the volcanic eruptions occurred long back. The workers carved the rock with proper planning as cracks also occurred during the process.

The workers carved pillars, roofs, and idols out of the rocks. Along with this, painting work was also done. Tourists can enter the site through a gateway built between cave 15 and cave 16. The gateway is decorated with elephant and snake.

Monasteries

Most of the caves are in the form of Viharas having dormitories attached to them. At the back side of the caves, a sanctuary was built and each sanctuary has a statue of Lord Buddha in the center. Many other deities are also carved on the pillars and near the large statue of Buddha.

These caves were built during the second phase and were shifted from Hinayana sect to Mahayana sect. Due to all these features, they came to be known as monasteries. The center of the viharas are in the form of a square having rectangular aisles on each side. There are number of small cells which can be entered through the doors made up of wood.

Worship Halls

The worship halls, also known as Chaitya Grihas, was built in the form a rectangle. The halls are divided into a naïve and two aisles. The hall consists of a stupa and an aspe. A stupa is a hemispherical structure having the remains of Buddhist monks and nuns while apse is a semi-circular structure having a vault or semi-dome.

People performed circumambulation around the stupa which is surrounded by pillars. Some caves have large entrances having windows through which light entered the caves. The construction of the worship halls depicted the architecture of Christian church but they didn’t have any chapel.

Images of Ajanta Caves.

How to Reach Ajanta and Ellora Caves

- Ajanta and Ellora caves are located about 100 km from each other.
- Aurangabad Airport is the best-connected airport with several flights from major cities across India.
- Jalgaon and Aurangabad Railway station are the two railway junctions which are well connected with all the cities in India.
- Ajanta Caves are connected to a network of excellent roadways with Mumbai, Pune, Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Shirdi, Nasik, Dhule, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Indore, Bijapur, and Aurangabad.

Best Time To Visit

June to March are the best months to visit Ajanta and Ellora Caves. It becomes a little difficult to travel around and explore the caves in summers April-May. Winters and Monsoon are ideal as the climate is pleasant from October to March and June to September which is the best time to visit the caves. Avoid summers if you don't want the sun to bother you while you are enjoying your archaeological journey. The scorching heat of April and May makes it a bit challenging for the tourists.