TRIFORIUM OF CHAITYA, No. 19.—AJUNTA.
AS will be seen in all those interior views, the whole surface was covered with a thin coating of chunam so as entirely to hide the surface of the rock; but the sculptors never seem to have thought that this could excuse them from using the same amount of elaboration in their carving as if they were to be left plain. Though it may be supposed they were prepared in this way for the purpose of being painted, it does not appear that any colour was in this instance applied.
There is not much variety in the sculptures of the triforium belt itself. These consist of alternate sitting and standing figures of Buddha. The sitting ones all cross-legged, the only variety being in the position of the hands, to which Buddhists attach much importance. Between each of these is a standing figure in the usual attitude of exposition, and though the attitude in all is very nearly the same, no two figures are exactly alike, and the variations have probably more meaning than is apparent to the casual observer.
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