Approximately 67 miles (107 km) to the north of Aurangabad in the Indhyadri range of Western Ghats lie the caves of Ajanta. The 30 caves, famous for their early Buddhist temple architecture and many delicately drawn murals, are located in a 76 m high, horseshoe-shaped escarpment overlooking the Waghora (tiger) River. The river originates from a picturesque waterfall called sat kund (seven leaps) just off the last cave. It serves as a potent reminder of the natural forces that over untold eons have shaped the basaltic layers of the Deccan plateau. Also a part of the Gautala Wildlife Sanctuary, this primordial landscape provides a fitting background to one of the finest collections of paintings from India's antiquity.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original definition at https://www.worldhistory.org/Ajanta/.
Join the Conversation
- Why do you think Ajanta changed from simple caves to rich decorated caves?
- Which part of Ajanta do you think is most powerful, the paintings or the sculptures?
- Why do you think the artists chose to tell so many Jataka tales?
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