World Heritage Monuments and Related Edifices in India by Javid Ali; Javeed Tabassum;

Author:Javid, Ali; Javeed, Tabassum;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Algora Publishing
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Fig. 2.130. Ellora. Cave 4. Tara.

Ca. Early 7th Century. Basalt.

Fig. 2.131. Ellora. Cave 5. Hall. Ca. Early 7th Century. Basalt.

Cave 5 is a large vihara with a rectangular hall 35m (109 ft.) deep (Fig. 2.131). The façade of the cave was destroyed, possibly by landslide. Two rows of eight massive square pillars near the side walls and two rows of four pillars near the front and back end surround a deep rectangular hall in the center. The pillars have square shafts and cushion capitals. Two long rows of low stone benches are carved in the center of the hall. Monks possibly used the benches to sit and chant Tantric ritual recitations. On the rear wall Buddha is seated on a throne, his hands in a teaching gesture and legs resting on a lotus in the main shrine. A highly ornamented Avalokiteshvara and Vijarapani with crowns and halo behind their heads guard the entrance. Small residential cells are cut into the side walls along with two spacious and better-planned additional shrines in the center of the side walls. The side walls are carved with highly decorated niches, some of them featuring images of Vijarapani and Avalokiteshvara holding a lotus attended by females with body bends.

All the remaining Buddhist Caves were excavated during 630-700 (Fig. 2.132).

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