Ajanta Caves 17 and 18

Ajanta Cave 17: A Treasure Trove of Exquisite Murals

Cave 17 began directly after Cave 16 in the 460s. The feudatory ruler of Ajanta, Upendragupta, commissioned Caves 17, 18, 19, 20, and 29, which are the earliest of the excavations. He led the site's revival in the mid-5th century, although he may have spent too much on religion and not enough on war. After losing to adversary Asmakas in the 470s CE, all development in his caverns, including Cave 17, stopped.

The paintings at Ajanta show a number of important works of Indian art. They also give a full picture of Indian life and customs in the past. From the second century BCE to the fifth century CE, people in Ajanta were the first to use chiaroscuro methods. These techniques give paintings and statues a three-dimensional look.

In later years, the method spread to other Asian countries. Ajanta became the first building in India to appear on the UNESCO World Heritage list, making it one of the most significant places to visit in Ajanta Caves.

The Unique Color Palette of Ajanta Paintings

Most of the drawings in Ajanta Cave 17 are of stories from the Jataka text. There are 30 big paintings in the cave. Buddha is shown in the art in a variety of poses and styles. The paintings show many stories.

They have a lot of different themes, like a shipwreck, a princess putting on makeup, lovers having an affair, and a couple drinking wine together. Some works look amazing when you look at them in three dimensions. When looked at from a different angle, the same picture looks different.

Ajanta Cave 18: A Small yet Spiritual Meditation Hall

The temples are mostly made up of rectangular vihara rooms for prayer and living, with small square dormitory cells cut into the walls. By the second period, there was also a shrine or sanctuary in the back, with a large figure of Buddha carved from living rock in the middle.

This change shows the shift from Hinayana to Mahayana Buddhism. The chaitya hall is the other type of main hall. It is smaller and higher, and it has a stupa at the far end. There is a narrow aisle that goes around the walls behind a group of close-together pillars, making it a fascinating site to explore with Ajanta Caves tour packages.

Mythological Narratives and Religious Symbolism

Even though Ajanta Cave 18 is tiny, it has a lot of religious and mythological meanings. There are very detailed carvings and drawings in the cave that show Buddhist stories, Jataka stories, and beings from heaven. These works of art show important events in Buddha's life and teach spiritual lessons.

The building and designs of the cave show a lot of religious commitment, which makes it an important place to learn about Buddhist mythology.