Buddhist Ajanta caves, India.

The Ajanta cave  consists of 30 caves including unfinished caves, dating from 200 BC to 250 AD. The caves are located 104 km from Aurangabad and 52 km from Jalgaon Railway Station. The caves are carved out of the Deccan volcanic lava in a canyon in the forest of the Sahyadri Hills and surrounded by a beautiful forest. These caves were spotted by a British Army Captain John Smith in 1819, while hunting.

Photo: Ajanta cave panorama

Ajanta offers a structure of architecture, sculpture and composite paintings. Two basic types of Buddhist monasticism architecture are preserved in Ajanta, Chaitya and the prayer hall (cave number 9, 10, 19, 26, & 29) and Vihara (monastery) or monastery (left 25 hang).

The caves here suggest a complete structure of architecture, built in two phases with a period of about four centuries.

During the Hynayana period there are Chaitya hall halls (caves 9 and 10) and 4 monasteries (cave numbers 8, 12, 13 & 15A).

In the Mahayana period, there are 3 Chaityas (19, 26, 29 unfinished caves) and 11 elegant temples (caves 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 11, 15, 17). And 20 to 24).

Picture: Beautiful pictures in cave number 2

Sculptures in the Mahayana period form a formal religious sculpture. While in the Hindu stage tombs at the scene are almost empty caves.

Hang 1, one of the best monasteries and paintings inside the interior, is one of Ajanta's masterpieces. The elegant Bodhisattvas, called Padmapani and Vajrapani, emblazoned with elaborate veils along the slopes, entrance to the lobby. The wall on the side of the lobby illustrates Mara's charm and magic in the castle. Scenes from Kataka such as Shibi Jataka, Samkhpala Jataka, Mahajanka Jataka, and Chapeyya Jataka are illustrated on the walls of the cave.

- No. 2, the monastery repeats the same pattern as Hang 1 and is also worthy of enjoyment with the pictures on the ceiling. The pictures included many designs, scrolls, geometric patterns, miniatures of the Buddha, the dream of the Queen, and the birth of the Buddha, The gowns on the shoulders of the gifts and scenes are Hamsa Jataka and Vidhurapandita Jataka.

Photo: Main power of cave number 19 with the perfect masterpieces made of stone

Hang 4 and 6 are monasteries or monasteries with magnificent architecture.

Hang 9, 10, 12 & 15A are Chaitya Hall halls during the Hinayana Period.

Hang 10 was discovered during the first excavations at the site of one of the most impressive Chaitya Hall halls of Buddhism in Western India dating back to the 2nd century BC. This cave contains both ancient and recent paintings. The scenery in Sama Jataka and Chhaddanta Jataka is depicted here.

+ Cave 12 has lost face, as a result of revealing the interior of the hall.

+ In cave 15A only the parts on the front wall left.

- Hang 14, 15 & 16: are the monasteries in the Mahayana period.

+ Hang 14 has been planned on a large scale, but never completed.

+ The porch portion of Hang 15 has almost collapsed. Above the entrance is a tower relics shielded by a snake-shaped roof. Buddha images appear in the shrine and on the back wall of the hall.

+ Cave 16 is one of the most beautiful monasteries in Ajanta. Inside the hall, on the wall is an incarnation of Nanda, a cousin of the Buddha. Other paintings include the sorcery of the Sravasti, the parade on the back of the elephant, the Buddha's request for alms from his wife and son, the first meditation of Prince Siddhartha, the scenes of Hasti Jataka and Maha Ummagga Jataka.

Photo: Cave number 24 - one of the  last works of Ajanta

- Hang 17, a monastery with the greatest number of murals including a row of 8 Buddha, a most damaged drawing of Indra, is hovering over the clouds with a The dancers of the heavenly, Apsara Apsara and the musicians, the Buddha overwhelmed Nalagiri, the angry furious elephant released by his jealous cousin, Devadatta ( Devadatta and scenes from Jataka legendary stories such as Chhaddanta Jakatam Mahamapi Jataka, Vatantara Jataka, Sutasoma Jataka, Matiposaka Jataka, Sama Jataka, Ruru Jataka, and Nigodhamriga Jataka.

- Hang 19, is a Chaitya hut made of stone.

- Cave 20 is a small monastery in which the entrance to the hall is the obligatory entrance leading to the hall without a pillar.

Hang 21 to Hang 24 represents Ajanta's last works. It's all synthesized in different stages of completion.

Hang 26 is a Chaitya Hall larger than Hang 19, but otherwise similar in layout and decor. END=NAM MO SHAKYAMOUNI BUDDHA.( 3 TIMES ).VIETNAMESE TRANSLATE ENGLISH BY=THICH CHAN TANH.THE MIND OF ENLIGHTENMENT.VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN=GOLDEN LOTUS MONASTERY=AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY.23/7/2017.