Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v3.c12.37

v3.c12.37

XIII to XV. Of these No. XIII is the earliest and was used as a dormitory by the monks who were attached to the great *chaitya-cave*, No. X. It has seven cells and a small hall in front, measuring 13½ ft. in width, 16½ ft. in depth, and 7 ft. in height. The cells have, however, very neatly cut beds which are further carved at one end in the form of a pillow. The doors of the cells are very narrow, nor is there much space inside them, these features indicating that they were used for sleeping only. Cave XIV was inaccessible previously, but the cleaning of Cave XIII in recent times has exposed a stair in its right side leading to the former cave. It was apparently excavated later than Cave XIII and was never finished. The cave has a long veranda, 63 ft. by 11 ft., and an unfinished hall at the back of it, which if completed would have measured 61 ft. by 25 ft. 6 in. Neither Cave XIII nor Cave XIV has any painting. Cave XV is situated quite close to Cave XIII, but in age it is much later than the former. The plan of Cave XV comprises a veranda, 30 ft. long and 6 ft. 6 in. deep, a hall which has no columns and measures 34 ft. each way, and a shrine with an antechamber in front of it. The figure of the Buddha inside the shrine is not of the conventional type; it is rather slim and the legs are crossed and the feet turned upwards (Plate XLII *a*). This pose is more common in later images, particularly among the representations of Jain gods of seven centuries later. On the frieze above the main doorway are carved four pigeons in very natural poses, and between them is a *stūpa* with a halo of cobra-heads, while the base of the *stūpa* is made of the coils of the same reptile (Plate XLI *b*). The roof of the antechamber of Cave XV has traces of painting.