Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v4.c16.44

v4.c16.44

Cave XXIII is a spacious *vihāra*, its hall being 50 ft. 5 in. wide and 51 ft. 8 in. deep. Twelve massive columns support the roof of the hall, the height of the latter above the floor being 12 ft. 4 in. The veranda has four columns in front, which are all intact and show fine workmanship. There is a chapel at each end of the veranda in the style of Caves II and XXI. The carving of this cave, particularly that of the columns and pilasters, bears a striking resemblance in design and workmanship to that of Cave I, and it is not unlikely that this *vihāra* is not much later in date than Cave I. The antechamber and the shrine of the cave, although begun, have not been finished.