A
UNESCO World Heritage
ASI Protected
Ajanta Caves
Ajanta (near Aurangabad), Maharashtra
2nd Century BCE - 5th Century CE
A complex of 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments dating from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE. The later caves, patronized by the Vakataka dynasty, contain the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian painting, depicting the Jataka tales and the life of the Buddha in vivid mineral colors.
Source: Aitihasik heritage database. Use this as a field guide and verify sensitive historical claims before citation.
Details
- Dynasty
- Vakataka
- Style
- Rock-cut Buddhist
- Primary Deity
- Buddha (Buddhist monastery complex)
- Languages
- Marathi, Sanskrit
- Scripts
- Devanagari, Sanskrit
Historical Significance
Contains the finest surviving ancient Indian murals. UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. Spans both Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhist periods. The paintings are masterworks of world art
Architectural Features
30 rock-cut caves (5 chaityas, 25 viharas)Spectacular Jataka tale muralsPadmapani and Vajrapani bodhisattva paintingsElaborate carved facadesHorseshoe-arched chaitya windows