And onto the Ajanta Caves

Parinirvana is a 7m (23') image of the reclining Buddha, with his eyes closed as if in sleep.
His disciples mourn his passing, while above, celestial beings rejoice in his salvation, this Buddha looks so peaceful.

Cave 10, Vishwakarma named after the celestial carpenter, it is dominated by a figure of the Teaching Buddha carved in front of a votive stuppa, placed under a vaulted roof.  It is so intricately carved that it seems to be made of wood.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 30 extraordinary rock cut caves at Ajanta lie within a horseshoe-shaped escarpment, overlooking the narrow Waghora river gorge.  The caves were occupied for only a short period and over time the surrounding jungle concealed their existence.  They were rediscovered, quite accidently, in 1819, when John Smith, of the 28th Madras Cavalry, suddenly saw the top of the facade of Cave 10 while on a tiger hunt, wouldnt that of been so cool to have re-discovered these caves.

A visiting monk, these guys always appear so happy.