Ajanta Caves: A Buddhist Jewel of Indian Art

The Ajanta Caves, located in the Indian state of Maharashtra, are among the world’s most precious heritage treasures. Inscribed by UNESCO in 1983, the caves tell the story of Buddhism through their frescoes, sculptures and architecture, spanning almost 800 years. The site is an invaluable source for understanding the evolution of the Buddhist faith in India, from Hinayana to Mahayana Buddhism.

Historical background to the Ajanta caves

The Ajanta site is remarkable for several reasons. Firstly, it shows us the evolution of Buddhism in India. Secondly, the site was funded by the empires that ruled the region.

A brief description of the caves

The Ajanta caves, carved into a crescent-shaped cliff above the Waghur River, comprise 30 Buddhist grottoes. Construction began around the 2nd century BC, during the Satavahana era, and continued until the 6th century, under the Vakataka dynasty. These caves served as both monasteries and sanctuaries for Buddhist monks.

The division of the caves into Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism reflects the different religious and artistic phases:

• Hinayana (or Theravada): The early phase, characterized by an absence of Buddha idols, focuses on stupas and symbols such as the wheel or the Bodhi tree.
• Mahayana: The later, more complex phase introduces anthropomorphic representations of the Buddha, often surrounded by bodhisattvas.

The empires behind the Ajanta caves

Two empires succeeded one another at Ajanta: the Satavahanas and the Vakakalas.

The Satavahana Empire (2nd century BC – 3rd century AD)

The Satavahana Empire, also known as Andhra or Andhradesa, was one of the first major regional powers to emerge in India after the fall of the Maurya Empire. This empire, which flourished in the Deccan region, played a crucial role in the economic, cultural and religious history of ancient India.

Origins and expansion

Founded around the 2nd century BC, the Satavahana Empire reached its apogee under rulers such as Gautamiputra Satakarni and his son Vasisthiputra Pulumavi. They established control over much of central India, including Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

The Satavahanas are renowned for maintaining a decentralized power structure, allowing local dynasties to retain a degree of autonomy while recognizing their suzerainty.

Administration and economy

The Satavahanas are famous for their structured administrative system. Satavahana inscriptions, often carved on pillars or caves, mention terms such as rajaka (king), amatya (ministers) and mahamatra (officials).

The empire’s economy was mainly based on agriculture, trade and crafts. The Satavahanas were key players in maritime trade, linking India to ports in the Mediterranean, East Asia and the Gulf.

Culture and religion

The reign of the Satavahanas saw a great cultural flowering. They encouraged the development of regional languages such as Prakrit, while upholding Vedic and Buddhist traditions. The earliest architectural remains in the Ajanta caves date from this period, notably the stupas in caves 9 and 10, which reflect Hinayana Buddhist values.

The Satavahanas were also active patrons of the plastic arts, as evidenced by the famous stone and ivory sculpture found at Amaravati.

The Vakataka Empire (3rd century – 6th century)

The Vakataka Empire succeeded the Satavahanas in the Deccan and became one of the main promoters of culture, art and spirituality in ancient India. Their patronage of the Ajanta caves marked a major artistic and religious turning point.

Origins and expansion

Founded by Vindhyashakti around the middle of the 3rd century, the Vakataka empire reached its apogee during the reign of Rudrasena II and Pravarasena II. Unlike the Satavahanas, the Vakatakas were faithful to Hinduism, in particular the cult of Vishnu and Shiva.

Their kingdom extended over Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and part of Andhra Pradesh. Through matrimonial alliances, the Vakatakas strengthened their power, notably through their union with the Guptas, the dominant dynasty of northern India.

Cultural and artistic patronage

The Vakatakas are best known for their patronage of the Mahayana Buddhist arts. It was under their reign, notably that of Harishena (the last great Vakataka king), that the Ajanta caves were enlarged and adorned with the sumptuous frescoes we know today.

Ajanta caves 1, 2, 16 and 17, which illustrate scenes from the Jatakas and accounts of daily life, bear witness to the artistic refinement and attention to detail of the craftsmen of the period.

Religion and administration

Although the Vakatakas favored Hinduism, their reign was marked by religious tolerance. This coexistence can be seen in the Buddhist caves they sponsored.

Their administrative system was similar to that of the Satavahanas, with decentralized control and relative autonomy for local governors.

Apogee and decline of the Ajanta caves

Ajanta was a major Buddhist site until the 6th century, when it declined. From the 9th century onwards, it was abandoned and forgotten until 1819.

The heyday of the Ajanta caves

The site’s heyday coincides with that of Buddhism in India. Two Chinese monks give us an idea of the spiritual effervescence sweeping India at the time.

Faxian and Xuanzang are two major figures in the history of Buddhist pilgrimages between China and India. Here are more details on their journeys and their possible links with the Ajanta caves.

Faxian (337 – 422)

• Context to his journey: Faxian set out for India in the early 5th century to collect Buddhist sacred texts, notably the Vinaya (monastic codes) and sutras. At the time, Buddhism was flourishing in India, and sites such as Ajanta were important centers for monks and pilgrims.
• Itinerary: He crossed the Gandhara region (now in Pakistan), Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, visiting sacred Buddhist sites such as Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar. He doesn’t mention Ajanta directly, but he does describe Buddhist monasteries that may have similarities with the Ajanta site, notably those located in natural or man-made caves.
• Contributions: His work, The Narrative of the Buddhist Kingdoms (Foguo Ji), is a valuable source for understanding Indian Buddhism in the 5th century. Although the Ajanta caves are not named, Faxian describes the prosperity of the monasteries and the Buddhist art that corresponds to the period when Ajanta was flourishing.

Xuanzang (602 – 664)

• Context of his journey: Xuanzang is best known for his pilgrimage to India in the 7th century, a century after Ajanta’s heyday. His aim was to deepen his Buddhist knowledge and bring sacred texts back to China. By this time, Buddhism was beginning to decline in India, but sites like Ajanta were still partly active.
• Itinerary: Xuanzang visited major Buddhist universities such as Nalanda and monastic sites across northern and central India. His itinerary took him to the Western Ghats region, near Ajanta. Although he doesn’t specifically name the caves, he does describe rock monasteries in similar mountains.
• Description of monasteries: Xuanzang mentions Buddhist monasteries where monks practiced the Mahayana, in complexes decorated with frescoes and sculptures, elements characteristic of Ajanta. He also mentions the decline of certain religious centers due to the rise of Hinduism and local invasions, reflecting the situation in Ajanta at the time.
• Contributions: His work, The Great Tang in the Western Kingdoms (Da Tang Xi Yu Ji), is a mine of information on the state of Buddhism and Indian art. It offers an indirect insight into sites such as Ajanta.

Why their stories are linked to the Ajanta caves

1. Chronology: Faxian traveled during Ajanta’s heyday, while Xuanzang visited India as Buddhist activity in the region began to decline. Their writings, while not directly mentioning the caves, describe similar environments.
2. Monastic caves: Both pilgrims describe Buddhist monasteries carved into the rock, where monks lived and meditated, an emblematic feature of Ajanta.
3. Buddhist art: Xuanzang’s accounts, in particular, highlight the importance of frescoes, sculptures and monastic architecture, all of which are typical of Ajanta art.

Decline and oblivion

With the decline of Buddhism in India and changing trade routes, the site gradually lost its importance and was abandoned, buried under the dense vegetation of the western ghats. For centuries, Ajanta remained forgotten.

Rediscovery of the Ajanta caves

In 1819, British officer John Smith, on a hunting expedition, was intrigued by a bow carved into the rock. He decided to take a closer look. He rediscovered the forgotten site. Amazed by the beauty of the intact frescoes, he initiated efforts to document and preserve this treasure trove of ancient Indian art, marking the beginning of the site’s worldwide recognition as a masterpiece of cultural heritage.

Buddhist currents and their evolution

Like all religions, Buddhism is criss-crossed by numerous currents. Each current is divided into different schools, which we won’t go into here. Each has its own particularities.

Hinayana (or Theravada)

Hinayana Buddhism, dominant in the early Ajanta period, emphasizes strict monastic life and meditation. Caves built during this period included stone stupas, symbolizing Buddha’s enlightenment, without idolatry. Monks followed fundamental teachings such as the Noble Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths. Hinayana Buddhists seek enlightenment for themselves. Most Hinayana countries are Burma, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.

Mahayana

As Buddhism spread, it evolved into Mahayana, which introduces the notion of bodhisattva: enlightened beings who choose to remain in the cycle of rebirth (samsara) to help others achieve liberation. Close to enlightenment, the bodhisattva vows to remain in samsara The Mahayana caves of Ajanta are decorated with sumptuous frescoes and sculptures showing the Buddha in various poses and mudra (symbolic gestures). Mahayana countries include Sri Lanka, Vietnam, China, Taiwan and Japan.

Vajrayana

Vajrayana, also known as Tantric Buddhism, emerged later in India. It is the Buddhism that developed mainly in the Himalayas and Tibet. It incorporates all the concepts of Mahayana Buddhism, but enriches them with tantric and esoteric practices to help achieve enlightenment more rapidly.

Description of the Ajanta caves

The 30 Ajanta caves can be divided into two main groups:

Hinayana caves (1st-2nd century BC)
Caves 9, 10, 12, 13 and 15A
Mahayana caves (5th-6th century AD)
Caves 1 to 8, 11, 14, 15, 16 to 29
Here’s a description of some of the most remarkable:

Cave 1: Padmapani and Vajrapani

Famous for its detailed paintings, this cave houses frescoes depicting scenes from the Jatakas (tales of the Buddha’s past lives). The best-known paintings include those of the Teaching Buddha and the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. This cave is a perfect example of Mahayana art. In this cave, you’ll find the painting that is the symbol of Ajanta. It is that of the bodhisattva Padmapani.

Cave 2: the most feminine cave

The frescoes here depict scenes of daily life, mixed with Buddhist narratives. The depiction of mothers and children is particularly moving. Funding for Ajanta Cave 2 is attributed to Queen Vakataka Varahadevi, who was the principal wife of Emperor Harishena of the Vakataka dynasty. Harishena was one of the principal patrons of the Ajanta caves in the late 5th century CE. The decorated ceilings feature floral and geometric motifs.

Cave 10: The rediscovery of caves

This was the first cave visited by John Smith in 1819.

This Hinayana-style cave is a chaitya-grihas (worship hall) containing a stupa. The horseshoe-shaped windows provide dramatic natural light, illuminating the stone stupas. This was the first cave rediscovered by John Smith in 1819 during his hunting trip.

Cave 16 and 17: Essential caves

This cave is often referred to as the spiritual heart of Ajanta. The paintings show complex accounts of the Jatakas, the past lives of Buddha, including the Mahajanaka Jataka or Hasti Jataka. This was surely an important place of learning for the religious community. The sanctuary houses an impressive statue of Buddha.

Cave 24: the unfinished cave

This cave is important for understanding construction techniques. Indeed, in all the caves of Maharashtra, the construction techniques are identical. The caves were dug from front to back and from top to bottom. This unfinished cave is a good example of these construction techniques.

Cave 26

A chaitya mahayana cave, it is famous for its massive sculpture depicting the Buddha’s Parinirvana (his entry into final nirvana). Surrounding sculptures show scenes of bodhisattvas and other divine figures.

How to get to the Ajanta caves

The Ajanta caves are well connected by land and air:

• By air: The nearest airport is Aurangabad, around 100 km away. Regular flights connect Aurangabad with Mumbai, Delhi and other major cities.
• By train: Jalgaon station (59 km) or Aurangabad station (100 km) are a key access point for travelers from other Indian cities.
• By road: Public buses and private cabs are available from Aurangabad and Jalgaon. Roads are well maintained.
• Cab service: We offer a cab service that can take you to the Ajanta caves from Aurangabad. The professional driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the viewpoint overlooking the site. You can then begin your tour, or drive to the parking lot to start from below. Once you’ve arrived, the caves can be reached by shuttle bus.

Tips for visitors

• Best time to visit: November to March, when the weather is pleasant.
• Opening hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The caves are closed on Mondays.
• Guide or audioguide: Hire a local guide or rent an audioguide to better understand the complex stories behind the paintings and sculptures.
• Preparation: Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Walking between caves can be tiring.

The Ajanta caves are one of the many treasures of the Aurangabad region. Please contact us to plan your trip with us.