Monday, December 10, 2012

Ajanta Masterpieces

The rock-cut Ajanta Caves of 6th to 7th century are world renowned for exquisite carvings and paintings. These paintings are chronicle on the life of Lord Buddha. The Cave No. 1 contains some of the rare masterpieces of paintings.



The most famous and precious painting of all is what is known as Bodhisattva Padmapani on the left wall of the hall when we enter it. The Bodhisattva here shown as an elegant prince wearing high crown with precious stones in it. On his neck is a pearl necklace, with a central big blue stone. In his right hand, he holds an open lotus, suggesting awakening, with his gracious bent head and his golden body, the almond eyes and the delicate eyebrows.



Another famous painting is that of Vajrapani (thunderbolt), one of the earliest Bodhisattvas of Mahayana Buddhism. He is the protector and guide of the Buddha, and rose to symbolize the Buddha's power.



Other caves also have some of the rare paintings of that era.

45 comments:

Vee said...

Highly stylized with beautiful use of color...just wonderful treasures.

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Brilliant! And truly amazing!

Cloudia said...

Remarkable!
Thank you


Wishing YOU
an Aloha-filled week, from Waikiki
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Krishna/കൃഷ്ണ said...

nice info and beautiful photos

thanks

Unknown said...

that is beautiful,,where is that taken from?

visiting from mellow yellow

http://getitfresh.blogspot.com/2012/12/mellow-yellow-monday.html

eileeninmd said...

It must be cool to see the rare paintings. They are beautiful, thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

the details of the crown in the second photo is amazing.

MYM: Rock Ferns

Snap said...

Wonderful! Precious paintings.

Jeevan said...

Remarkable rajesh!!

Unknown said...

These are so beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us. I have friends in India, The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. Several of them are in my home town now at the SCN Motherhouse. I have planned for years to come visit. But may never make it.
QMM

Maude Lynn said...

These are amazing!

Fun60 said...

Even after all this time the colours still look vibrant. They look truly amazing. I would love to see them in real life.

Sylvia K said...

What an awesome and amazing place, Rajesh! I would love to visit there, but your photos are the next best thing! Thanks for sharing them with us!

Unknown said...

Another great tour!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

lorik said...

I think this is one of the most beautiful and wondrous places in the world. I will never forget my visit there long ago. Your photographs capture it well.

Anita said...

Very nice!!Love those masterpaintings!!))

Kavita Saharia said...

Grear masterpieces. Do need to be preserved and conserved.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Beautiful, intricate, just lovely. ...and once again makes me smile to think about how funny you must think it is when I posted about the very primitive cave paintings (from a later century) that I posted last summer when we were in the American Southwest). We're definitely a newer civilization, that's for sure!

Leovi said...

Yes, those pictures are beautiful. sorry to be so damaged.

Vineeta Yashsavi said...

Very informative post...

R Niranjan Das said...

Nice clicks of some great works!

http://www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.in

Kusum said...

Would love to visit this place!

Anonymous said...

Such rare jewels!

Teamgsquare said...

Amazing colours .........

MaR said...

Very interesting. And amazing!!

v is for...

Carver said...

Very good post for V. Carver, ABC Wed. Team

Anonymous said...

Very intricate...

PhenoMenon, ABCw Team

Roger Owen Green said...

the artwork is VERY striking!

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

cassandrasminicorner said...

Beautiful and interesting!

Visiting from MYM- hope you can stop by..

http://www.cassandrasminicorner.com/2012/12/270-classic-cartoons-to-watch.html

Anonymous said...

incredible. i hope the govt is exerting extra efforts in the preservation and conservation of these historical gems.

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing and for the history as well!

lencilicious said...

Good thing, photography is allowed in that place. With that precious painting, the effect of light is not desirable to preserve its' beauty.

snowwhite said...

Hi Rajesh,
Ajanta Caves are at the top of my travel list. How gracefully Buddha and Bodhisattva are depicted!!
Buddhism in Japan is Mahayana Buddhism.
Have a great week!
keiko

Panchali said...

Precious paintings...hope Indian Archaeology Dept is able to preserve them for many more years.
In fact, last time when I was there, huge maintenance work was going on..
Thanks for sharing, Rajesh.

Black Jack's Carol said...

I would love to see these caves! Beautiful seems too small a word to describe such treasures.

Rajesh said...

Thank you all for appreciating this beautiful paintings.

Flash photography is not allowed here as they harm the paintings.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Fascinating work of arts!


Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

Anonymous said...

Rajesh, it's always a pleasure to visit your blog, because your love of India is always shown in your photographs. I love this. Peace, Amy
http://sharplittlepencil.com/2012/12/15/violence/

Eden said...

wow, impressive carvings. beautiful photos as always.

Anita Sabat said...

True masterpieces... Yet to visit though.

Puru@ShadowsGalore said...

Our rich heritage.

indu chhibber said...

Even after so many years the first painting is as delicate and charming as ever.

Empty Rucksack said...

beautiful photos

Maniparna said...

I always wonder that how immensely talented those people were !!..Its amazing..

Words Kraft said...

This is what the Indian History has in store for us...and yet we silly descendants fail to respect and maintain any of it...