Ajanta: Cave XVII. Painting in the verandah

Illustration of the painting in the verandah from the Buddhist vihara, Cave XVII at Ajanta, from James Burgess' 'Original Drawings from the Buddhist Rock Temples at Ajanta.' The Buddhist cave temples of Ajanta were first excavated into a horse-shoe shaped cliff overlooking the Waghora River in the 2nd ? 1st Century BC. Cave XVII monastery or vihara was excavated during the reign of Harishena (r.460-78). It has a pillared verandah and a squared central space surrounded by cells. This cave preserves the largest number of mural paintings, illustrating Jataka legends. Over the doorway in the verandah is a row of 8 seated Buddhas above amorous couples.