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Themes
Jataka Stories
The subjects of the paintings are
mostly from
the jataka-s,
Buddhist mythological stories
of the previous lives
of the Master
Jataka Stories
Here is a scene from the story of King Shibi,
who offered his own flesh to save a pigeon
A Scene from Shibi Jataka, Cave 1
Life of the Buddha
Episodes from the life of
the Buddha form
the next important theme.
Life of the Buddha
Gautama was meditating under the Bodhi tree
to attain enlightenment.
Mara, the Evil Spirit, made many attempts
to dislodge Gautama from His resolve.
Mara sent his three most beautiful daughters
to distract Him. This failed.
Then Mara summoned his demons
to dislodge Gautama.
But Gautama was calm and unmoved.
Mara’s Episode, Cave 1
Life of the Buddha
On the way to Her parent’s house
Mayadevi gave birth to Siddharta
in Lumbini grove of shaala trees.
Brahma, Indra and other gods descended
to pay their respects to the new-born.
Maya Devi giving birth to Siddharta, Cave 2
Solo Pictures
Religious
There are
a few compositions
of divinities,
but not part
of any story
Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara
Cave 1
Solo Pictures
Secular
A few of the solo-pictures
do not seem to have
any religious import.
Lady doing her make-up, Cave 17
Decorative
The paintings in the last category are
decorative and secular.
They fill up all the available space
on the ceilings pillars, etc.
Mythical birds Clown
Geometrical
Geometrical
Animals
Hilarious