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.
Ajanta Caves, Buddhist rock-cut cave temples and monasteries, located near Ajanta village, north-central Maharashtra state, western India, that are celebrated for their wall paintings.
These caves were discovered by an Army Officer in the Madras Regiment of the British Army in 1819 during one of his hunting expeditions. Instantly the discovery became very famous and Ajanta attained a very important tourist destination in the world.
Ajanta consists of thirty caves, each dedicated to the life of the Buddha. Each cave is filled with sculptures, wall murals, and ceiling paintings. Though much of this site has collapsed, what remains at Ajanta has allowed a glimpse into the artistic traditions of ancient India.
BOOK EXCERPT For young readers: All the attempts to restore the Ajanta caves from 19th century to present day An excerpt from ‘Magnificent Murals: Buddhist Art of Ajanta’, by Ashwin Prabhu.
For young readers: All the attempts to restore the Ajanta caves from ...
The over 2,000-year-old, world-renowned Ajanta Caves will mark 207 years since their rediscovery on April 28. The caves were rediscovered in 1819 by British cavalry officer John Smith. The inscription date can be seen in Cave No. 10. The painted caves were accorded UNESCO World Heritage status in ...
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 ...