Site Name: Ajanta
Date: 462-480 CE
Subject: Porch, right end pillared cell with adjacent unfinishhed pilaster
CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY
Cave 23 is almost similar on plan and in dimensions to Cave 21 but was started after it in 479-80 CE. It was initially undertaken by a Vakataka patron followed by Monk Buddhabhadra. It shows developed features in its porch, particularly its fine “T-shaped” doorway, decorated windows and naga and yaksa friezes over the decorated complexes at the porch ends. However, after Harisena’s death in 477 CE, there was no time to complete its main image and the cave was never dedicated. For this reason, despite its many available and well-prepared surfaces, it has no intrusions. The shrine, antechamber and side-cells with pillared porches of this vihara remain incomplete.
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