Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v3.c12.s7.4

v3.c12.s7.4

CAVE VII, being situated at the head of the steps which descended to the valley and the stream therein, was apparently used as a halting-place at the time when the caves were used by the Buddhists for worship, and also in later times when they were relinquished by the Buddhists and occupied by *yogīs* of the Brahmanical faith. The ceiling and walls of this cave, which were adorned with paintings, evidently suffered most from the fires of the *yogīs* which were lit for purpose of cooking or for *homa* (होम) and destroyed the colours. A judicious use of ammonia has, however, been found useful to remove the film of smoke and disclose such colours and design as have survived the scorching of fires.