Q. The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft-illustrated paintings at which site? (UPSC Prelims 2017)
Answer: Ajanta
Notes: The correct answer is [A] Ajanta. The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is a masterpiece of Indian classical art, located in Cave 1 of the Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra.Key Details of the Painting

• Symbolism: "Padmapani" literally translates to "Holder of the Lotus" (padma = lotus; pani = hand). The Bodhisattva is depicted holding a blue lotus, symbolizing purity and spiritual awakening.
• Artistic Style: The painting is renowned for its delicate outlines, graceful posture (the tribhanga or triple-bend pose), and expressive, downcast eyes that convey a sense of deep compassion (Karuna).
• Technique: It is a mural painting created using the tempera technique (not true fresco), where pigments were applied to a prepared surface of lime plaster.

Why the other sites are incorrect:

• [B] Badami (Karnataka): Known for its Chalukyan rock-cut architecture. While it contains some early Brahmanical and Jain paintings, they are not as globally iconic as the Padmapani of Ajanta.
• [C] Bagh (Madhya Pradesh): These caves contain Buddhist paintings that are stylistically similar to Ajanta, but most have significantly deteriorated over time.
• [D] Ellora (Maharashtra): Famous for the Kailasa Temple and its massive rock-cut sculptures representing Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. While there are some traces of paintings, Ellora is primarily celebrated for its sculptural grandeur rather than its murals.

Historical Context:The Ajanta paintings were created in two phases, with the most famous murals (including Padmapani) dating back to the Vakataka period (approx. 5th century CE), under the patronage of King Harishena. These paintings served as a visual medium to narrate the Jataka tales (previous lives of the Buddha) to monks and pilgrims.