Ajanta Cave 1: Door Frame

INDIA, Maharashtra, Aurangabad

This exquisite frame is composed of five borders carved in both high and low relief. On the outermost frame, the lintel displays five stupa images. On either side at the top, an elegant heavenly being stands beneath a tree in tribhanga pose. The heavenly beings wear ornaments and diaphanous garments. The left figure stands on a cloud while the other plays a slender vina. Below are hourglass-shaped capitals over square columns with interlocking floral designs.
The second border consists of cylindrical pilasters on either side with double lotus capitals. The lintel of the third border contains three small Buddha niches. The seated Buddhas each form the dhyana (meditation) mudra. On either side of the doorway are four niches containing mithuna couples, and below them are tall heavenly beings who stand in tribhanga pose. The fourth border is decorated with intricate floral designs and three child-like heavenly beings dance on the lintel. The innermost border displays a delicate fern pattern.