Cave 2

3D

Floorplan

Cave Exterior

Cave Interior

Cave type

Quite similar to Cave 1, this cave consists of a porch, porch-end cells, hall, antechamber, and shrine. It has two sub-shrines dedicated to Yakṣas on the back wall.


Period

The cave is a typical Vihāra of the Later period. Its proximity and similarity to Cave 1 suggest that it was made around the same time.


Elements

The painted ceiling in this cave is of exceptional beauty. The continuous ceiling medallions lead you from the porch to the shrine. The painted ceiling patterns mimics a wooden flat ceiling with beams and rafters. In the compartments created by painted beams and rafters are painted motifs of flora, fauna, forms, and figures. The paintings in the hall depict Buddha's birth as well as other scenes from the Bodhisatva's previous lives.


Patron

The cave does not have any dedicatory inscription. But the cave has many painted records. Paintings in the porch, Kṣāntivādin and Maitrībala Jataka bear verses from Jatakamala - a Sanskrit work of the third century.