Structural Conservation at Ajanta Caves

Structural Conservation at Ajanta Caves

Ajanta Caves are monotonously covered with massive basaltic hill called Deccan trap. The basalt is of dark grey to black hard compact rock having very fine to medium grain texture. The caves were excavated by scooping into the vertical surface of the rocky hill. The Deccan trap is defined by cleavages, fault and cracks in the body of the basaltic rock for the rain water to seep through inside the caves. The monument stone is also vulnerable to damage by environmental condition. 

Major structural conservation measures, in the form of construction of drains for run off of rain water, were executed in the year 1920-21. Five drains to cope up with a run off of 4 inches per hour of rain water with a slop to develop a velocity of 4 to 6 feet per second were made on the top of the cave. A zinc drain was also inserted in the important painting of Padmapani and Vajrapani at Ajanta. Based on Geotechnical studies carried out by the Geological Survey of India for Ajanta caves, some structural conservation measures in the form of strengthening the existing drainage system on the top of the caves were also executed very recently. 

Ever since the Ajanta Caves were abandoned by the Buddhist monks in around 6th century A.D., the façade of almost all the caves have fallen, the pillars, support and walls in many caves also fell and, in some caves, the rain water along with mud, supposed to flow in the ravine of Waghura River, entered inside the caves with deposition of slit up to a height of 3-5 feet. Structural conservation measures in the form of removing the filth from the cave interior and making new support pillars as per conservation needs were extensively carried out. The finest example is 2nd B.C. cave 10 at Ajanta.