Ajanta Caves Wonderful India

Ajanta Caves are a series of 29 temples in the Buddhist caves of Ajanta, India, some of which date from the 2nd century BC. Both Theravada and Mahayana traditions of Buddhism, Ajanta caves preserve some of the finest masterpieces of Buddhist art in India. Many visitors to explore the caves of Ajanta in conjunction with the nearby Ellora caves.
History

The Ajanta caves were carved over many years of a horseshoe-shaped along the rock Waghora River. They were used by Buddhist monks in prayer rooms (chaitya Griha) and monasteries (vihara) for almost nine centuries later, came to stop abruptly put. They fell into oblivion until their rediscovery in 1819.
What is beyond

The caves are numbered from east to west, from 1 to 29. Today, a road connecting the terrace, cellar, but in ancient times, everyone is accessible regardless of the river before.

A platform for display across the river offers an excellent view of the Ajanta site. The natural beauty of the region, it is clear why the monks chose the site for their spiritual significance.

Preserved in the cave many masterpieces of Buddhist art. Some reflect the earlier Theravada tradition of the effigy of Buddha in the form, such as footprints or a throne. Others, Mahayana caves feature murals and statues depicting the colorful life (and past lives), Buddha and various bodhisattvas. The caves also represent scenes of everyday life and the many inscriptions which indicate a prince or noble of the cave gifted to the monks.

It is very convenient for the Ajanta Caves in reverse numerical order, so they appear in this sense below. This allows you to keep some of the mass of people moving from cave to cave in the other direction, and leads to the exit at the end. The number of appointments caves are bold.

Cave 26 - A prayer room Mahayana (chaitya). The relief is carved a large statue of the Reclining Buddha, which represents the time of death. Below, the disciples' cry; above, the heavenly beings rejoice. The cave also contains a stupa with an image of Buddha in a flag.

Cave 17 - A Mahayana monastery covered with murals of many well-preserved. Virgin and celestial musicians are on the ceiling, and the Buddha, the heavenly guardians, Goddesses, and Lotus petals ga works adorn the front door.

A mural in Cave 17 shows Prince Simhala of the encounter with the man-eating ogress of Sri Lanka, where it is sinking. Another shows the king of the gods fly between the clouds, with his retinue of celestial nymph (Apsaras) and musicians. The sign over the door which represents the seven Manusha Buddha (Buddha in human form) with existing or future Maitreya Buddha sitting under the Bodhi tree.

Cave 16 - A Mahayana monastery with a beautiful painting of the princess Sundari fainting after learning that her husband (the Buddha's half-brother, Nanda) went to a monk.

Cave 15, 13, 12 - Theravada monastery caves.

Cave 10 - Theravada prayer hall, thought to oldest cave temple at Ajanta, dating from the 2nd century BC.

Cave 9 - One of the first prayer hall caves, remarkable for its soft windows that allow the spread of sunlight into the cave. Theravada This cave also has a large stupa.

Cave 8 - Theravada monastery cave.

Cave 4 - Incomplete, but the largest monasteries of Ajanta.

Cave 2 - The facade of the monastery Mahayana cave indicates the Naga kings and their entourage. Inside, a beautiful mandala dominates the ceiling, by demons and decorated with birds, flowers, fruit and abstract patterns. The ceiling gives the effect of a canvas hood, the right to SAG in the middle.

Cave 1 - The most popular of the Ajanta caves in convent. Every inch of the cave was originally painted, although many have used over the centuries. The door of the lobby is flanked by two large wall paintings of bodhisattvas. On the right, holding a thunderbolt, is Avalokitesvara (or Vajrapani), the most important bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism. On the left, holding a lily, the bodhisattva Padmapani.

The side walls of the Cave 1 antichambre show scenes from the life of the Buddha: his temptation by Mara, just before his enlightenment and the miracle of Sravasti, where Buddha is multiplied in thousands of images.

Above the porch, to the left of the cave 1 friezes of the three signs (a sick man, an old man and a corpse) that the Buddha was on his fatal trip outside the palace which led to a monk. In the sanctuary is a colossal statue of Buddha in preaching forms. The murals on the walls of the hall represent many Jataka tales, stories of the old life of Gautama Buddha.
Fast Facts
Location: 2-3 hours north-east of Aurangabad
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 9am-5: 30pm, closed holidays
Cost: 500 euros ($ 11)
Tour: The Aurangabad airport, you can create a government employee or guide, but it is cheaper to rent the guide on the site.
Tips: flash is not permitted in the caves.
You need your shoes before you caves, so be sure to wear cheap slip on shoes.
Getting there?

The Ajanta caves are not easily accessible to visitors, but of course that was the point. The drive from the nearest large town, Aurangabad, takes between 2 and 3 hours.

By air (to Aurangabad): According to Frommer's, "the quickest, most sensible Aurangabad is learning to fly Jet Airways (about 45 minutes and about $ 75) from the airport in Mumbai Aurangabad.

By train: The nearest station is Jalgaon, which is connected to many cities in India. An even more important Bhusaval station, 28km from Jalgaon. From Jalgaon, you can take a taxi to Ajanta.

The road (in Aurangabad and Ajanta): taxis and auto rickshaws are widely available at the airport and Aurangabad Jalgaon railway station. A taxi from the airport to downtown costs about 100 euros. In the airport of arrival, the MTDC Holiday Resort, which offers brochures and books to visit the caves. It is also Classic Travel Related Services, which provide a form of transport for Aurangabad and its surroundings, including the caves of Ajanta and Ellora. A full day by car and driver costs about 1200 rupees ($ 26).

The drive from Aurangabad to Ajanta takes 2 to 3 hours to beat the early years of the afternoon heat. Most visitors were in the caves of Ajanta parking where you have a lot of selling tacky souvenirs and waiting buses environmentally friendly to give you the right way to Ajanta Caves ticket agency.

You can also be compared to the position on the river reached only through a branch before parking. If you are in good condition and stable on his feet, this option is worth. From the observation deck area, go to the difficult road and bridge into the river Waghora. Arrange for your driver to pick you up in the parking lot when you're done.