CAVE 21 AJANTA

Cave 21 begins a series of caves on the other side of a waterfall which feeds the Waghora during the monsoons. These caves appear to be related, and have some connection in style and motif.

Cave 21 is one of several large viharas which remained unfinished. However, the porch carving is refined and nearly complete.

Hariti, a yakshi connected with fertility and childbearing, appears on teh porches of this later series of caves, as well as Cave 2. Hariti probably originated in Gandhara, and her appearance at Ajanta suggests the fifth century renaissance might be partly due to migrations of monks from the Northwest.

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