Aurangabad Cave 2

INDIA, Maharashtra, Aurangabad

This cave belongs to the west group and was excavated in the late 6th century. It is different from most other vihara caves as no cells are connected to the main hall. The Buddha statue in the shrine has a circumambulatory path formed around the statue.
The Buddha statue occupies most of the space within the main hall. A large Bodhisattva relief stands on each side of the entrance and exquisite miniature Buddha niches are engraved on the lintel of the doorway. The Bodhisattvas wear elevated headdresses, stand in tribhanga posture, and hold lotus flowers with long stalks. Small images of Amitabha Buddha are on each of the lotus flowers, and apsaras hover above the small Amitabha images. Next to each Bodhisattva is a small attendant, and on each side of the doorway is a small yaksa. Within the hall is a Buddha seated with legs pendent. The Buddha forms the Dharmacakra (Dharma wheel) mudra and his feet rest upon a lotus pedestal.