Astronomical Orientation of Caves in Ajantha and Ellora

Transcription

1 Astrnmical Orientatin f Caves in Ajantha and Ellra M. N. Vahia 1, A. P. Jamkhedkar 2 and Parag Mahajani 3 1. Tata Institute f Fundamental Research, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India ( vahia@tifr.res.in) 2. Ananthacharya Indlgical Research Institute, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India 3. DSK Vishwa, Rhini I 301, Simhagad Rad, Dhayari, Pune , Maharashtra, India Received: 09 July 2017; Revised: 01 September 2017; Accepted: 05 Nvember 2017 Heritage: Jurnal f Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaelgy 5 (2017): Abstract: Ajantha and Ellra Caves in Central India are examples f Buddhist cave art and architecture. The caves at Ajantha are frm 100 BC t 500 AD divided int tw perids, early (100 BC t 230 AD) and late ( AD) perid crrespnding t Satavahana and Vakataka perids (Jamkhedkar, 2009, 4). We have studied the directinal and astrnmical rientatin f the caves at these tw lcatins. The caves at Ajantha are built in a hrse she curve while thse at Ellra are built n a West facing muntain range. Hwever, ur studies shw that in cnnectin with the caves at Ajantha, the early perid caves pint t suth while the later Vakata perid caves pint t East and West with sme specific rientatin. In particular the caves 22 t 29 seem clustered twards summer slstice. The caves at Ellra, while largely facing west, have significant clustering in the directin f slstices. We suggest that rientatin t cardinal directins must have been an imprtant part f design and develpment f the caves. Keywrds: Astrnmy, Orientatin, Caves, Ajantha, Ellra, Tpgraphy, Summer Slstice Intrductin The caves at Ajantha (20 32 N; E) and Ellra (20 2 N; E) and amngst the mst exquisitely carved and painted caves in India. They were created in tw majr perids, the early perids made in Satavahana perid are dated t 100 BC t 230 AD while a majrity f caves were made during Sakataka perid ( ) AD (Jamkhedkar, 2009:4). They cnsist f an intermingling f Buddhist, Jain and Hindu caves. Architecturally these caves have been well studied (See Jamkhedkar, 2009 fr a cmprehensive review). Hwever, their rientatin with respect t slstices and astrnmical references has nt been well studied. In the present study, we reprt the measurement f the rientatin f caves in Ajantha and Ellra and discuss their pssible astrnmical relevance. We have lked at all the individual caves at Ajantha and Ellra and measured their rientatin with respect t magnetic nrth frm inside lking ut and frm utside lking in. Since the difference between the magnetic

2 Vahia et al. 2017: nrth and gegraphical nrth is less than 1 degree fr the subcntinent, we assume that the magnetic nrth represents the gegraphic nrth. Caves at Ajantha There are 29 caves in Ajantha (Latitude N and lngitude E) arranged alng a hrseshe bend in the Waghra river. The sharply curving inner mst part f the cave distributin faces rughly suth (Figure 1). Figure 1: Orientatin f Ajantha Caves Of these caves, the central cmplex f caves, cave numbers 1 t 7 are 460 t 500 AD, 8 is transitinal. Cave numbers 9, 10, 12, 13 and 15A belng t the first perid (1 st Century BC t 2 nd Cent AD), built in its early phase. Out f these, the caves 9 and 10 are prayer halls, rest are residential. Caves 11, 14, 15, are in the secnd phase f the secnd perid. We have measured their rientatin and the relevant data. The results are given in table 1. We have als pltted the rientatin f the caves in figure 2. Since the general curvature f the tpgraphy f the Ajantha regin is in the frm f a hrseshe, the fall in angle f rientatin (Measured clckwise frm Nrth is expected t shw a mntnic trend as can be seen frm figure 2. Hwever, there are sme 807

3 ISSN Heritage: Jurnal f Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaelgy 5: 2017 interesting features t this graph. The caves 1 t 6 seem t fllw a mntnic trend that is significantly different frm ther caves. Caves 8 t 20 seem t fllw a unifrm trend in line with the curvature f the regin. Hwever, caves 21 t 29 have a significant deviatin frm the general curvature f the regin. Table 1: Data f Orientatin f Ajanta Caves Cave Mean Perid Cmments frm Jamkhedkar (2009) number Angle Vakataka Rich in rck art and stne architecture Vakataka Rich in rck art and stne architecture with paintings n the ceiling Vakataka Mst delicate f all caves Vakataka Seems t have been made bttm up Transitin Several carvings f Buddha Satvhana Prayer hall with 18 painted inscriptins f the Sakata Perid Satvhana Prayer hall extensively decrated with paintinds Satvhana Stupa cnverted t image later Satvhana Mnastery Satvhana Mnastery Satvhana 15 A Satvhana Vakataka Shws evlutin f new expressive styles in Buddhist carving Vakataka Cntains paintings frm Jataka stries Vakataka Magnificent Prayer Hall Vakataka Tiny residential unit Vakataka Vakataka Vakataka Vakataka Mst mdern Mst mdern withut a dedicated Inscriptin In figure 2 we have marked ut the directins and drift f the Sun ver the slstices alng with the pinting directin f each cave. The vals alng the line mark ut the perid f cnstructin f these caves while the hrizntal shaded regins mark ut the drift in the Sunrise r Sunset pint frm Summer Slstice t Winter slstice. Based n this, the fllwing cnclusins can be made. There are 3 grups f caves. In general the caves fllw the curvature f the regin 808

4 Vahia et al. 2017: Grups 2 and 3 seem t be largely aligned t the curvature f the regin Grup 1 seems t have tried hard t maintain East alignment. They seem t have wrked hard t break away frm curvature t maintain astrnmical directins. Grup 2 facing suth seems t g entirely with curvature. Grup 3 seems t be later due t precessinal ffset f abut 3 degree indicating a delay f abut 200 years in making them. Caves 1, 26 and 29 are aligned t Summer Slstice. They shuld be studied in detail. Cave n 21 is artificially riented t exact East and shuld als be studied Other caves in grup 1 shuld als be studied fr alignment n a specific day. Figure 2: Cave rientatins and details f directins and sunrise sunset pints. The shaded bands arund East and West mark the maximum drift f the Sun due t its annual mvement. The blue val marks the caves f the early perid while the ther circles mark caves f the later perid. Ellra Caves Ellra is cnstructed n a muntain range with a natural nrth suth rientatin. Hence nrmally caves are expected t pen t West. In table 2 belw we give the data fr select Ellra caves. We have measured the cave angle inwards frm the entrance. The layut f the Ellra caves (taken frm in.pinterest.cm/pin/ /) is given in figure 3. The results f these measurements are given in figure

5 ISSN Heritage: Jurnal f Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaelgy 5: Figure 3: Layut f Ellra Caves, (Nrth Twards Tp)

6 Vahia et al. 2017: Table 2: Orientatin f Caves in Ellra Cave N Cave Angle Cmments Grund flr Grund flr Devi temple Kailash Shaiva Cave Shaiva Cave Pashupati Cave 30 A 270 Chta Kailash Jain Jain Aurangabad Caves Figure 4: Orientatin f Ellra Caves. The shaded Regin Shws the Maximum Excursin f the Sun during Slstices. 811

7 ISSN Heritage: Jurnal f Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaelgy 5: 2017 Frm this, we can make the fllwing deductins. Out f the 18 caves studied: 4 caves (number 14, 21, 22, 29) are aligned t Summer Slstice sunset. Of these, 14 is Devi cave. 21, 22 and 29 are all Shaiva Cave (Pashupata) 4 caves (number 1, 2, 3, 4) Aurangabad Caves are aligned 30 exactly east f Suth. These are Buddhist caves facing suth is expected 3 caves (number 16, 23, 30) are aligned t exact West. Of these, 16 is Kailash, 23 is Shaiva and 30 is Rushabhnatha (Jain) 2 caves (number 5, and pssibly 26) t winter slstice sunset, Cave 4 is similar t cave 10 at Kanheri 1 cave (number 34) t exact East. Caves 30 and 34 are ppsite these are Jain Caves. 1 cave (number 8) is aligned t Nrth. This is a transitin phase cave. 1 cave (number 32) is aligned t Suth. These are Jain caves Samavsarna is held and is expected t face Suth Cave numbered 11, 12 and 26 are within the winter sunset shadw and may be aligned t sme specific dates Cnclusin The caves at Ajantha, fllw the general curvature. Hwever, within these limitatins, attempts seem t have been made t rient them t imprtant directins. The caves Ellra, while generally created n the west facing muntain, d have specific directinal rientatin with summer slstice sunset directin particularly well marked ut. Reference Jamkhedkar, A. P Ajanta: A mnumental Legacy. Oxfrd University Press. New Delhi. 812