Bamiyan Niche I: Seated Buddhas and Heavenly Dancers

AFGHANISTAN, Bamiyan

This damaged mural is located on the ceiling of Niche I, which is located in the western Bamiyan Valley, to the east of the West Buddha. The mural dates to around the 8th century and depicts columns of Buddhas flanked by columns of heavenly dancers.
The Buddhas are seated in full lotus position and have five-colored mandorlas with beaded borders. The lowest visible Buddha wears a headdress and a monastic robe that leaves the right shoulder bare. Both of the hands form mudras. The second Buddha wears a more elaborate robe and a bracelet. He holds a small alms bowl in his left hand and wears a crown with ribbons that flow gently to the sides. The third Buddha wears a robe leaving the right shoulder bare and forms the vitarka (teaching) mudra. The remaining Buddhas found above these are no longer discernible. On either side between the circular mandorlas of each Buddha are bearded figures with nimbuses.
Two columns of heavenly dancers are depicted as dancing in pairs. Each dancer wears a headdress, necklace, and bracelets. The pairs stand in various dancing postures with their stoles fluttering in the wind.