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Cave 1: This is one of the finest monasteries at Ajanta. Graciously posed Bodhisattvas with elaborate headdresses flank the antechamber doorway. On its either side are two of the best-known murals Bodhisattva Padmapani and Bodhisattva Vajrapani holding a thunderbolt (right) accompanied by attendants, divine musicians and flying figures.
The left wall of the antechamber depicts the assault and temptation by Mara, the god of passion, and on the right wall is the dark princess being offered lotuses by a lady. In the shrine, the Buddha is seen in the teaching position. Under his throne appears the Wheel of Life. The left wall of the hall shows scenes from the Mahajanaka Jataka. To the right of the rear wall are episodes from the Champeyya Jataka.
Cave 3: It is remarkable for the painted ceiling with large medallions, delicate bands of lotus flowers, scrollwork and abstract geometric patterns. Episodes connected with the birth of the Buddha such as the dream of his mother Maya, its interpretation by the priests and the birth of Gautama occupy the left wall. Next of this is a representation of the Miracle of Shravasti when the Buddha manifested himself in thousand forms.
Cave 4: Planned on a grandiose scale, but never completed, this is the largest monastery at Ajanta. It has a central doorway embellished with guardians, flying figures, maidens clutching trees and also images of the Buddha and Ganas, or dwarfs, with garlands. Six gigantic standing figures of the Buddha are carved in the walls of the antechamber.
Cave 7: Unlike the other monasteries, this one contains only two small porticos and does not have a hall. The shrine has a seated Buddha with a halo carved on the back wall.
Cave 9: Rectangular in plan, with a monolithic hemispherical Stupa in the center. Traces of wall-paintings can be seen above which are figures of the Buddha in various poses.
Cave 10: Probably the earliest cave excavated at Ajanta. The paintings,
though largely obliterated, reveal a royal personage accompanied by soldiers,
musicians and dancers, worshipping the Bodhi Tree and the Stupa. Also of interest
are the Jataka tales on the right wall.
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