Editing Ajanta Caves (section)

== Cave 7 ==
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| footer = External view of Cave 7, and inside shrine
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Cave 7 is also a monastery (15.55 × 31.25 m) but a single storey. It consists of a sanctum, a hall with octagonal pillars, and eight small rooms for monks. The sanctum Buddha is shown in preaching posture. There are many art panels narrating Buddhist themes, including those of the Buddha with Nagamuchalinda and [[The Twin Miracle|Miracle of Sravasti]].<ref name=asicave1to29/>

Cave 7 has a grand facade with two porticos. The veranda has eight pillars of two types. One has an octagonal base with amalaka and lotus capital. The other lacks a distinctly shaped base, features an octagonal shaft instead with a plain capital.{{sfn|Gupte|Mahajan|1962|p=77}} The veranda opens into an antechamber. On the left side in this antechamber are seated or standing sculptures such as those of 25 carved seated Buddhas in various postures and facial expressions, while on the right side are 58 seated Buddha reliefs in different postures, all placed on lotus.{{sfn|Gupte|Mahajan|1962|p=77}} These Buddhas and others on the inner walls of the antechamber are a sculptural depiction of the [[The Twin Miracle|Miracle of Sravasti]] in Buddhist theology.{{Sfn|Spink|2009|pp= xii, 87–89}} The bottom row shows two Nagas (serpents with hoods) holding the blooming lotus stalk.{{sfn|Gupte|Mahajan|1962|p=77}} The antechamber leads to the sanctum through a door frame. On this frame are carved two females standing on ''makaras'' (mythical sea creatures). Inside the sanctum is the Buddha sitting on a lion throne in cross legged posture, surrounded by other Bodhisattva figures, two attendants with ''chauris''{{which lang|date=May 2020}} and flying apsaras above.{{sfn|Gupte|Mahajan|1962|p=77}}

Perhaps because of faults in the rock, Cave 7 was never taken very deep into the cliff. It consists only of the two porticos and a shrine room with antechamber, with no central hall. Some cells were fitted in.{{Sfn|Spink|2007|pp= 8–9}} The cave artwork likely underwent revisions and refurbishments over time. The first version was complete by about 469 CE, the myriad Buddhas added and painted a few years later between 476 and 478 CE.{{Sfn|Spink|2009|pp= 87–89}}
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File:Plan of Ajanta Cave 7, 1850 sketch.jpg|Cave 7 plan (Robert Gill sketch, 1850)<ref>[https://artsandculture.google.com/streetview/ajanta-cave-no-8/nQHlGRr2Q_zX_w ajanta-cave-no-8]  ''Google Arts & Culture''</ref>
File:1880 sketch antechamber reliefs Cave 7 Ajanta Maharashtra India.jpg|Cave 7: Buddhas on the antechamber left wall (James Burgess sketch, 1880){{Sfn|Spink|2009|pp= xii, 87–89}}
File:Ajanta si01-0403.jpg|Buddhas on the antechamber's right wall{{Sfn|Spink|2009|pp= xii, 87–89}}
File:Ajanta Caves 47.jpg|The shallow corridor before the shrine
</gallery>