Ajanta Cave Temples

Not far from the village of Ajanta in India is a magnificent temple complex carved into a cliff on the southern bank of the small river Vagura. About thirty caves were carved into the rock more than a thousand years ago, they are located in two tiers at an altitude of ten to thirty-five meters. The cave temples are unique monuments of Indian architecture, sculpture and painting.

Each temple is a majestic square hall decorated with two rows of columns richly covered with decorative carvings. Carvings adorn the passages leading to the temples. To the main hall of each temple adjoins several small monastic cells.

The main treasure of the cave temples of Ajanta are wall paintings, preserved in thirteen temples out of thirty. They depict scenes of Buddhist legends, as well as everyday scenes, real and mythological animals. Some images are erotic in nature. The scale of the works is striking - the skillful painting covers the walls, columns and ceilings of temples.