This is in response to Rochelle’s Weekly Photo Prompt for Friday Fictioneers.
Word Count : 100
He entered the ancient cave gingerly.
The slightest of sound could bring it down.
However, propelled by an odd compulsion, he stepped in…
And stood rooted.
The uneven walls held the imprints of a past untraceable.
Stunning artworks by unknown artists.
Buddhist monks…the historians had conjectured.
Master strokes, delicate lines, vegetable dye colours still preserved over ages.
Chronicles of alien ways of life and faith …
A veritable art gallery extraordinaire.
He shifted a little from one wall to the other.
Funny feeling as though someone was watching over ….
He turned …
The eyes of the Buddha stared back…!!!
98 Words
You can read the other stories here.
Author Note : The flash fiction is based on a trip to the ancient caves of Ajanta and Ellora many years back. I do remember one of the caves where the eyes of the Buddha painted on the wall seemed to follow us.
The image shows the paintings adorning the roof of one of the caves. The paints derived out of plants, minerals, earth and stones have survived millennia.
The image above shows a honeycomb of caves (Ajanta) on the Sahyadri Mountain range on the Western Ghat in the Deccan Plateau.
One of the caves of Ajanta (Cave no 24) does not have a roof perhaps because of incomplete excavation or collapse of the facade.
The Kailasa temple in Ellora, also situated in the Sahyadri range, is said to have been carved out of a single basalt rock cliff top down. Ellora is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Image of Ajanta courtesy Namaste India Trip.
Image of wall painting in Ajanta courtesy Wikipedia.
Image of Ellora courtesy Shutterstock.
Scary story well explained
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Derrrick.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Is it art or is it something more profound?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It can be something more profound…yes
LikeLike
There is a sense of expectation, by entering an ancient cave. The discovery of an art gallery must have a profound meaning of the past occupants. This is a moment of fearful excitement.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much James. You have so exactly captured the essence of the story. Glad the flash fiction resonates with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Geeta this is an evocative passage describing a moment of profound discovery, capturing the tension between the physical fragility of the site and the overwhelming spiritual and artistic power it holds. Thanks for sharing the info on the caves they look fascinating 🙌
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Ange for your deep and sensitive analysis. In fact, the caves of Ajanta were discovered by chance by an Englishman who had gone hunting in those grounds. Your description just fits the moment when he must have entered the caves hesitantly and found the wall paintings of such spiritual and artistic significance. Thank you once again for your thoughtful reading of the post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Geeta I really enjoyed it 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
that is so interesting GC! I bet visiting those caves was just amazing 💙💙🙌🙌
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it was Carol. The paintings were breathtaking and induced goosebumps since they withstood millennia.
LikeLike
Geeta, I can’t imagine the energy you felt in those places. I love you using the photo to share your adventures to those sacred places. Amazing the color remains after so many years due to using natural substances to make it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Lisa it was. Just imagine the time, patience and technology they must have employed to make those colours which withstood millennia. Thanks for reading Lisa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are very welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I loved that idea, Geeta – also what you have explain plus photos. Excellent!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much Chris. Glad you liked it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had never heard of this but it is fascinating. Looking at art made by people so long ago always is a bit of a spiritual experience. It unites us despite the separation of time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, exactly. It also gives us a historical legacy
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an evocative poetic rendition of history and timelessness!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Deeptangshu
LikeLike
How very amazing
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it is dear friend 🙏💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
LikeLiked by 1 person