Ajanta Caves Research Articles

Management of Eco-Tourism Sites: A Case Study of the Ajanta Caves

In the International tourism parlance India is perceived as a Cultural Destination and the foreign tourists visiting India for the first time find it so fascinating that quite a few of them come again and again to enjoy the "Indian Experience". No wonder India is one such destination in the world where international tourists spend maximum days once they arrive in the country. India is replete with heritage resources in the form of art, architecture and archaeology besides other cultural expressions like performing arts, dance, drama, fairs, festivals and the like. These cultural expressions constitute potential recreation resources. These resources, coupled with heritage, contribute to the richness of any landscape which can attract innumerable tourists looking for the "cultural experience".The general conference of UNESCO adopted a resolution in 1972 creating thereby a convention concerning the protection of the world 's cultural and natural heritage. The main objective of this forum was to define the world heritage, enlist sites and monuments from the member countries, the protection of which is the concern of mankind. The convention defined world heritage and drew a list of world heritage which included 378 cultural properties / sites. In India it has identified 28 sites, which are star attractions for intemational and domestic tourist. The paper makes introspection in various managerial aspects focusing mainly on the environmental impacts and problems in conservation and preservation of the World Heritage Site of Ajanta Caves, its paintings and environment in the vicinity of the cave.

THE AJANTA CAVES: ANCIENT PAINTINGS OF BUDDHIST INDIA

The Art BookVolume 12, Issue 4 p. 45-46 THE AJANTA CAVES: ANCIENT PAINTINGS OF BUDDHIST INDIA MATT CAMBRIDGE, MATT CAMBRIDGE Art Historian, EdinburghSearch for more papers by this author MATT CAMBRIDGE, MATT CAMBRIDGE Art Historian, EdinburghSearch for more papers by this author First published: 16 December 2005 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8357.2005.00611.xRead the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume12, Issue4November 2005Pages 45-46 RelatedInformation

Frederick M. Asher. Review of "The Ajanta Caves: Artistic Wonder of Ancient Buddhist India" by Benoy K. Behl.

Frederick M. Asher. Review of "The Ajanta Caves: Artistic Wonder of Ancient Buddhist India" by Benoy K. Behl.

The Ajanta caves: artistic wonder of ancient Buddhist India

The Ajanta caves: artistic wonder of ancient Buddhist India

Rock mechanics developments in India

INTRODUCTION India has been the seat of a great civilisation for 5000 yr or more. The ancient civilisation was manifested in the spheres of religion, art, literature, music and sculpture-all these having been imprinted into various monuments constructed through the ages. The country is dotted with thousands of monuments, which include temples, Buddhist Stupas, Chaityas, mosques, minars, rock cut caves and forts. Many of these are of considerable antiquity dating back 1000yr or more. These rock cut caves not only reflect the rich cultural life of the ancient and medieval people but also show their high technical skill in engineering construction and profound knowledge in the selection of sites, judgement of foundation conditions and choice of construction material. Revolutionary thoughts and a dynamic approach in utilizing in situ rock or the rock mass soon gave birth to the rock cut architecture in India which now holds a glorious record of having nearly 1200 rock-cut structures constructed between the 3rd century B.C. and the 9th century A.D. In the construction of such rock-cut structures, a knowledge of the correct selection of the site, including the character of the rocks which are amenable to the sculptor's chisel and hammer, was vital. The world famous rock-cut temples of Ajanta and Ellora, a treasure trove of art, were chiselled out of the very resistant Deccan basalt at suitable sites. One of the underground chambers in the Ajanta caves is 21 x 15 m and at the Ellora caves, the Chitya Hall measures 26 x 14 x 10 m. Some of these caves are built in 3 storeys. The rock has been supported by pillars at suitable locations and left unsupported wherever the rock was self-supporting. From the methods of excavation (by pickaxes, chisel and hammer) and support which followed, it seems likely that the ancient builders had sufficient knowledge of the principle of single and multiple beams and the cantilever system for distributing the load. Besides the underground construction, architectural masterpieces with stone as building material can be found throughout India. Some of the notable examples are:

Study of biodeterioration of the Ajanta wall paintings

In the present paper, results of studies conducted for the isolation and collection of different microorganisms and insects found at the Ajanta caves during April, July and October 1986 are presented. A number of fungal forms and bacteria were isolated and identified, but only a few were found in all the three trips. Among the insects, silverfish ( Lepisma saccharina L.) was noticed during all our collection periods.

Report on Examination of Murals of Ajanta Caves in India

At the request of the Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Mr. Charles Blitzer, the author visited India in March of 1975 to examine the murals of the Ajanta Caves and to make recommendations regarding their conservation. This is a brief report on the author's findings. The Ajanta Caves located 55 miles northeast of Aurangabad and 39 miles south of Jalgaon are undoubtedly among the greatest of artistic monuments of the world. The shrines have been excavated out of a cliff of traprock by Buddhist excavators and sculptors to form magnificent temples and monasteries decorated with sculptures and wall paintings of the finest quality. In excavating the work proceeded from the top downward and inward without the use of scaffolding. Holes were cut into the cliff where windows were intended, then narrow passages and the ceilings were carved, after which alleys were widened into corridors leading into halls and chambers divided by columns. Some of the caves are unfinished and provide documentary evidence as to the techniques of construction and

Report on Examination of Murals of Ajanta Caves in India

Report on Examination of Murals of Ajanta Caves in India

Report on Examination of Murals of Ajanta Caves in India

"Report on Examination of Murals of Ajanta Caves in India." Bulletin of the American Institute for Conservation, 15(2), pp. 55–56

Report on Examination of Murals of Ajanta Caves in India

Report on Examination of Murals of Ajanta Caves in India

India: Paintings from Ajanta Caves. Introduction by Madanjeet Singh. UNESCO World Art Series. Greenwich, Conn.: New York Graphic Society, 1954. 10. Plates, Preface, Introduction. $16.50.

India: Paintings from Ajanta Caves. Introduction by Madanjeet Singh. UNESCO World Art Series. Greenwich, Conn.: New York Graphic Society, 1954. 10. Plates, Preface, Introduction. $16.50.

: The Tribal Art of Middle India . Verrier Elwin. ; The Art of India Through the Ages . Stella Kramrisch. ; India: Paintings from Ajanta Caves .

Book reviewed in this article: PRIMITIVE ART: The Tribal Art of Middle India. Verrier Elwin PRIMITIVE ART: The Art of India Through the Ages. Stella Kramrisch PRIMITIVE ART: India: Paintings from Ajanta Caves. Preface by Jawaharlal Nehru and Introduction by Madanjeet Singh

India, Paintings from Ajanta Caves

India, Paintings from Ajanta Caves

India, Paintings from Ajanta Caves, Introduction by Mandanjeet Singh

India, Paintings from Ajanta Caves, Introduction by Mandanjeet Singh

The Art of India through the Ages By Stella Kramrisch (London: The Phaidon Press, 1954.) Pp. 281. - India : Paintings from Ajanta Caves (New York Graphic Society, by arrangement with UNESCO, 1954.)

The Art of India through the Ages By Stella Kramrisch (London: The Phaidon Press, 1954.) Pp. 281. - India : Paintings from Ajanta Caves (New York Graphic Society, by arrangement with UNESCO, 1954.)