Ajanta cave 21 has pillars of the verandah of this monastery have perished. The pilasters have a half and also a full lotus-medallion with makaras at the centre. At each end of the verandah is a cell with a porch supported on ornate pillars. The entablature above the pillars of the left porch is carved in three panels; the central one contains a naga king with his queens and attendants and the side ones have figures of yakshas. The subject-matter of the central compartment on the facade of the right porch is probably Hariti with attendants.

There are four such cells with similar pillared porches on three sides of the hall - one at each side of the ante-chamber and" one in the middle of each side-wall. Besides, there are eight more cells. The pillars of the hall, twelve in number, though resembling those of Ajanta Cave 1, are heavy and have disproportionately high square bases. The back wall of the shrine is carved in high relief with a seated figure of Lord Buddha in teaching attitude.

Most of the paintings have now perished. The fragment of a panel representing Buddha preaching before the congregation can be seen on the left wall between the porch and the pilaster. The freshness of the blue colour is notable in a few fragments of the ceiling-paintings.

This article is a stub. You can enrich by adding more information to it. Send your Write Up to content@indianetzone.com