Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c11.s4.t2.35

v2.c11.s4.t2.35

Twenty nine Ajanta grottoes are Buddhism grottoes. It can be divided into two periods: the early period is Hinayana, including 8ᵗʰ, 9ᵗʰ, 10ᵗʰ, 12ᵗʰ and 13ᵗʰ grottoes, and they have been dug up in 2ⁿᵈ century BC to 2ⁿᵈ century CE. The late period is Mahayana, including all the grottoes left, and they have been dug up from 450-650 CE. The building structure of Ajanta Caves can be divided into ‘chaitya’ grotto (Buddha hall) and ‘vihara’ grotto (monk room). The 9ᵗʰ, 10ᵗʰ, 19ᵗʰ, 26ᵗʰ and 29ᵗʰ belong to ‘chaitya’ grotto, and the rest belong to ‘vihara’ grotto. The 19ᵗʰ grotto is the typical one in the late period of Ajanta, and its front and interior decoration and carvings are magnificent. The Nirvana of Buddha Statue with 7 mt long in the 26ᵗʰ grotto is the largest existing Buddha statue in India. Frescoes of Ajanta Caves are well-known in