Kakrak Valley Caves

AFGHANISTAN, Bamiyan

The Kakrak Valley Caves are situated on the eastern bank of the Kakrak River, southeast of the Bamiyan Valley. In total, the site is comprised of over 100 caves dating from the 7th to 10th century. As part of the Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley, the Kakrak Valley Caves were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.
Cave 43 houses a 6.5 m high standing Buddha. Although damaged, this Buddha is an example of the several Buddhas found within the various niches and vihara caves along the cliff wall. One of the most distinctive features of the cliff wall is a rare octagonal Buddha niche featuring Persian-style architecture and layout. At the top of the niche is a vaulted ceiling with a mural of the Buddha teaching the Dharma. The border around the illustration takes on a kaleidoscopic effect, encircling the scene with two rings, inside the first of which are 16 circles bearing an image of a seated Buddha. Directly surrounding the figure are 11 smaller circles with yet smaller seated Buddhas inside. The outermost ring features a final row of small circular seated Buddha images framing the entire mural.