Editing Ajanta Caves (section)

== Cave 4 ==
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| image1 = Ajanta Cave 4 Exterior.jpg
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| image2 = 060 Cave 4, Main Shrine (34280369085).jpg
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| footer = Exterior view and interior hall of Cave 4
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Cave 4, a [[Vihara]], was sponsored by Mathura, likely not a noble or courtly official, rather a wealthy devotee.{{sfn|Spink|2007|pp=58–61}} This is the largest vihara in the inaugural group, which suggests he had immense wealth and influence without being a state official. It is placed at a significantly higher level, possibly because the artists realized that the rock quality at the lower and same level of other caves was poor and they had a better chance of a major vihara at an upper location. Another likely possibility is that the planners wanted to carve into the rock another large cistern to the left courtside for more residents, mirroring the right, a plan implied by the height of the forward cells on the left side.{{sfn|Spink|2007|pp=58–61}}

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| image1 = Ajanta Cave 4 Hall door.jpg
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| footer = Ajanta hall door (left) and cave pillars
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The Archaeological Survey of India dates it to the 6th century CE.<ref name=asicave1to29/> Spink, in contrast, dates this cave's inauguration a century earlier, to about 463 CE, based on construction style and other inscriptions.{{sfn|Spink|2007|pp=58–61}} Cave 4 shows evidence of a dramatic collapse of its ceiling in the central hall, likely in the 6th century, something caused by the vastness of the cave and geological flaws in the rock. Later, the artists attempted to overcome this geological flaw by raising the height of the ceiling through deeper excavation of the embedded basalt lava.{{sfn|Spink|2009|pp=53–55}}

[[File:067 Cave 4, Buddhas, Sitting and Standing (34123205802).jpg|thumb|right|Cave 4: The Buddha in a preaching pose flanked by [[bodhisattva]]s]]
The cave has a squarish plan, houses a colossal image of the Buddha in preaching pose flanked by bodhisattvas and celestial nymphs hovering above. It consists, of a verandah, a hypostylar hall, sanctum with an antechamber and a series of unfinished cells. This monastery is the largest among the Ajanta caves and it measures nearly {{convert|970|m2}} (35&nbsp;m × 28&nbsp;m).<ref name=asicave1to29/> The door frame is exquisitely sculpted flanking to the right is carved Bodhisattva as reliever of Eight Great Perils. The rear wall of the veranda contains the panel of litany of [[Avalokiteśvara]]. The cave's ceiling collapse likely affected its overall plan, caused it being left incomplete. Only the Buddha's statue and the major sculptures were completed, and except for what the sponsor considered most important elements all other elements inside the cave were never painted.{{sfn|Spink|2009|pp=53–55}}