Ajanta cave 15 is a popular structure where pillars of the verandah have fallen, leaving only the moulded plinth. The lintel of the doorway is carved in the form of two tiers of a sikhara.
At the centre of the lower tier is a stupa under the canopy of serpent-hoods, while the upper tier has at its centre a chaitya-window motif flanked by a pair of pigeons carved in a most realistic manner. The astylar hall has on two of its side's eight cells.
The back wall to the left of the antechamber bears figures of Lord Buddha in two panels. The pillars of the antechamber have moulded plinths and shafts, first, square, then octagonal, next sixteen-sided and finally returning to square through octagon without any capital. The back wall of the shrine is carved with an image of
Lord Buddha seated on a simhasana. That the cave was originally painted can easily be guessed from the patches of plaster sticking to the ceiling of the hall and traces of painting on the ceiling of the antechamber and shrine.
This article is a stub. You can enrich by adding more information to it. Send your Write Up to
content@indianetzone.com
