Side Shrines

 

 

These small shrines were excavated at a fairly late date. The cliff has crumbled away, but originally they would have all been square and finished like the lower shrines.

 

Of particular interest is the shrine in the lower left corner, which appears to have a female bodhisattva, or Tara, inside.

There is also a Tara inside Cave 26, directly behind the main Buddha, on the wall of the ambulatory. If these caves are indeed fifth century, these would be earliest known Tara images.

 

 

 

 

 

Have pictures of these smaller shrines you would like to share? Please contact me!

 

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