106km from Aurangabad. The 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves at Ajanta are of two basic designs called 'Chaitya grihas' and 'Viharas'. Five of the caves are Chaityas (Buddhist cathedrals) while the other 25 are Viharas (monasteries). Chaitya grihas were halls of worship - large, rectangular chambers separated by rows of pillars into a central nave, surrounded by aisles on three sides, for circumambulation during prayer, with a sanctuary opposite the entrance. The Chaityas are decorated with sculptures and murals depicting the many incarnations of Buddha. Viharas or monasteries are rectangular shaped halls with series of small cells attached on two sides. The side opposite the entrance contained an image of Buddha or a votive stupa. The Ajanta caves include the epic in visual form, recalling the life of the Buddha and illustrating tales from Jatakas (Buddhist fables). Cave 1 has a most popular painting of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and Bodhisattva Padmapani (one with the lotus in his hand). Cave 2 is remarkable for its ceiling decorations and murals narrating the birth of Buddha. Cave 4 is the largest vihara in Ajanta and depicts a man and woman fleeing from a mad elephant and a man giving up his resistance to a tempting woman. Cave 16 has 'the Dying Princess' painting, representing the Sundari, the wife of the Buddha's half brother, Nanda, who left her to become a monk. A number of unfinished caves were abandoned mysteriously.
