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The
valley that contains
Ajanta Caves, was not
discovered until 1819,
when a British hunter
happened upon it.
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Parvithy
stands next to
the threshold of a doorway
to this cave. An unknown,
leaping animal, with a
now headless rider,
are between the two.
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An older tourist is taken
down the stairs, aboard
his traveling seat.
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I
think these tourists
traveled this way more
out of novelty than need.
It would be quite difficult
to take quality pictures
atop one of these moving
seats. I could have used
one of these perhaps,
on the day of my summit
attempt on Mt. Kilminjaro!
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An
old woman sits along
side one of the pillars in
front of this cave. She
was not begging, nor
was she doing much else.
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We
hired a local, English
speaking guide, to give
us more detail to the 26
caves that make up Ajanta.
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Darren
and Jamie discuss
all things theological,
whilst Kushal and I snap
away photographing
this unique place.
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The
photographs get more
challenging once you step
out of the direct light and
into some of these caves.
Other caves, you should not
take pictures, as you may
damage the paints used if
you were to use a flash.
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In
the ceiling, you can see
the underlying plaster used
to cover the rockface, and
to allow for the smooth surface
that was painted upon.
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Another
cave entrance,
bearing the statue of
Buddha amidst its facaade.
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Here
is a unique and
interesting statue outside
another cave.
More
information desired.
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If
I didn't know better,
the upper design here looks
much akin to a Japanese
pagoda shape such as the
Zojoji
Temple in Tokyo, Japan.
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Ceilings
of stone and plaster
are painted in most of
the caves. Some of the
paintings are still in
excellent condition.
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We
continued along the
crescent shaped valley,
in search of all 26 caves.
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In
the small valley, are
beautiful flowers, many
trees and an flat open
space full of grass and
walkways.
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Another
view of the valley,
with, in fact, two crescent
shape sections to it. The
caves are all in the valley
on the right.
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