Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v3.c12.s2.3

v3.c12.s2.3

THE door of the sanctuary in the lower story of Cave VI originally had richly dressed *dvārapālas*, whose heads and other parts of the body are almost obliterated now, but there still exist fragments showing that they wore long coats and lavishly bedecked girdles and waistbands. The figure of the *dvārapāla* to the right of the shrine-door is reproduced in Plates III *b* and IV *a* by way of illustration.⁴ The latter is based on a photograph taken direct from the rock-wall, while the former is a faithful tracing of the original fresco. Of this *dvārapāla* a part of the left arm had survived, which has now been carefully preserved by the mechanics of the Department. The arm shows skilful drawing and perfect command in expressing inner feeling, which in this case may be interpreted from the gesture of the sensitive fingers of the *dvārapāla*. The figure represented some rājā, for the Bodhisattvas and *Yakshas* are not generally delineated as wearing coats. The *dvārapāla* has ornaments on his arm, wrist, and little finger, but what strikes one most is the design of his girdle, which contains scrolls, flowers, and check-patterns in alternating divisions. The design was apparently worked out in embroidery, the material being silk or gold and silver threads, or all three.