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Aurangabad Caves |
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Aurangabad Caves :
Although they're easily overlooked in favour of the Ajanta and Ellora
caves, Aurangabad has its own group of caves 2 kms north of the
Bibi-ka-Maqbara. They were carved out of the hillside around the 6th or
7th century AD. The 10 caves are all Buddhist caves - 1 to 5 are in the
western group and caves 6 to 10 are 1 km away in the eastern group. |
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Western Group :
All the caves are viharas, except for cave
4. This is the oldest cave at Aurangabad, and is a Hinayana chaitya with a
ribbed roof and is fronted by stupa and is now partially collapsed. Cave 3
is square and is supported by 12 highly ornate columnsas |
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Eastern Group :
Cave 6 is fairly intact and the sculptures
of women are notable for their exotic hairstyles and ornamentation. Cave 7
is the most interesting of the Aurangabad caves, particularly for its
sculptures. The figure of women, scantily clad and ornately bejewelled,
are indicative of the rise of Tantric Buddhism during this period. To the left of the cave, a huge Bodhisattv
prays for deliverance from the eight dangers: fire, the sword of the
enemy, chains, shipwreck, lions, snakes, mad elephants and a demon
(representing death) |
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