Themes

Jataka Stories

The subjects of the paintings are mostly fromthe jataka-s, Buddhist mythological stories of the previous lives of the Master

Here is a scene from the story of King Shibi,

who offered his own flesh to save a pigeon

Jataka Stories

A Scene from Shibi Jataka, Cave 1

Episodes from the life of the Buddha form the next important

theme.

Life of the Buddha

Gautama was meditating under the Bodhi tree to attain enlightenment.

Mara, the Evil Spirit, made many attempts to dislodge Gautama from His resolve.

Mara sent his three most beautiful daughtersto distract Him. This failed.

Then Mara summoned his demons to dislodge Gautama.

But Gautama was calm and unmoved.

Life of the Buddha

Mara’s Episode, Cave 1

On the way to Her parent’s houseMayadevi gave birth to Siddharta in Lumbini grove of shaala trees.

Brahma, Indra and other gods descendedto pay their respects to the new-born.

Life of the Buddha

Maya Devi giving birth to Siddharta, Cave 2

Solo PicturesReligious

There area few compositions

of divinities,but not partof any story

Bodhisattva AvalokiteshvaraCave 1

Solo PicturesSecular

A few of the solo-pictures do not seem to have any religious import.

Lady doing her make-up, Cave 17

Decorative

The paintings in the last category are decorative and secular.

They fill up all the available space on the ceilings pillars, etc.

Mythical birdsClown

Hilarious

Geometrical Animals

Geometrical