Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v4.c16.58

v4.c16.58

The entire forefront of Cave XXVI was covered with débris, and that was the reason why Burgess and other archaeologists could not understand the disposition of the various adjuncts of this *chaitya*. The court measures 43 ft. 9 in. by 18 ft. 6 in., and has a flight of four steps leading to a landing in front of the veranda. The roof of the latter has been destroyed with its columns by landslides caused by rains during the monsoons, but the back wall of the veranda, both below the horse-shoe window and above it, is well preserved and shows very rich carving. The upper part of the wall on both sides of the window is divided into panels containing figures of the Buddha of various sizes, represented in different religious attitudes. The multiplication of these figures detracts from the artistic merits of the ornamentation of the façade, and shows a poor taste.