Ajantha Caves

The Ajantha Caves located at Aurangabad district in Maharashtra were found by a group of British Military personnel, in the beginning of 19^th century. These world famous Buddhist caves are supposed to have been built during 1^st century BC and 7^th century AD. They had been carved out in the volcanic rock of the deccan Plateau. Of the 29 caves, five are prayer halls which they call Chaitya grihas and the others are monasteries called Viharas. In the first vihar there is a huge image of Sri Buddha sitting near bodhisatva. The idol of Nagaraja in the 19^th cave and the illustration of the Mahaparinirvana of Sri Buddha in the 26^th cave are the most spectacular features. Images of the river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna are also seen carved on the doors. Most of the carvings are the scenes of social life of the Indians. Several symbolic pictures are also seen in the Ajanta Caves.