Ajanta Cave 26

Ajanta Cave 26 is a chaityagriha that is next to Cave 25. One of the best-known places to visit in Ajanta Caves. This cave is part of the Mahayana school of Buddhism.

The Reclining Buddha Depicting Maha Parinirvana

Cave 26's semi-circular hub has a high hemispherical dome. The roof contains rock-cut ribs. The Buddha sculpture is at the rear. The Buddha is sitting in front. There are 18 panels on the base and 18 above. Angels hover over the Buddha's three-tiered torana. On top is a nine-tiered holy harmika. Exquisitely sculpted shrine circumambulation route.

Pillars flank the stupa. The pillars and walls bear Buddhist sculptures. Many pillars and walls were in disrepair and were restored. An aisle with exquisite wall sculptures is beyond the pillars, making it a fascinating site to explore with Ajanta Caves tour packages.

Intricate Sculptural Panels in Ajanta Cave 26

There is a huge Buddha statue on the left wall, close to the door. He is lying on his right side here. The piece of art is 7 meters long. The panel below the sculpture shows Buddha's followers, and above them, figures from heaven float. This is one of the most beautiful and moving pieces of Buddhist art. A huge figure shows the Buddha in Maha Parinirvana, the state he reached when he died and was freed from the world of the living.

A bigger panel is beside this artwork. Mara Vijay is the only Jataka Tale sculpture. The Buddha sits in Dhyan Mudra under a Bodhi tree. Demon Mara rides Girimekhala to assault Buddha with his ten thousand troops. His three daughters Taha, Arati, and Raga use sensual manoeuvres to pull Siddhartha away from Buddhism.

Buddha's enlightenment is shown in this sculpture. According to the story, Buddha and Mara talk. Buddha points his right hand to the earth in Bhumispartan Mudra. This mudra symbolizes Buddha's enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, with all five right fingers touching the ground. He then invited Sthavara, the soil goddess, to witness his enlightenment.

Spiritual and Architectural Significance

Ajanta Cave 26 is very important spiritually and architecturally. It has beautiful paintings, Buddhist symbols, and a large Chaitya Hall. In this cave, there is a lovely seated Buddha figure that shows the Maha Parinirvana, which is a picture of Buddha's ultimate freedom. It is a must-see for history and faith buffs because the statues and writings show how Hinayana Buddhism changed into Mahayana Buddhism.