Dark Mother – Goddesses of wrath
Within the mythology of the Mother Goddess there exists a duality. Just as her benevolent aspects are depicted in many forms, here are some of her fiercest and most terrifying forms
Buddhism
Work & worship – Goddesses of learning and living
The road to learning—and earning—is guided by these benevolent goddesses
Age of Empires – Reading List
Understand Indian empires through their temples, art and even hairstyles in this reading list drawn from the Sarmaya library
The Asoka Rock, Junagadh
Pictured here is the Girnar Rock Edicts in Junagadh, Gujarat, photographed by D. H Sykes in 1869. Located on the foothills of the Mount Girnar in Gujarat, the Girnar Rock Edicts, also known as the Junagadh Rock Inscriptions, are collections of 14 significant Prakrit edicts or inscriptions credited to Ashoka, the 3rd century Mauryan King.… Read more »
Empire of Faith: Into the realm of the Buddha & the Mauryas
Most Indians are familiar with the great emperors and exploits of the Mauryan empire. But until a few hundred years ago, their legacies lay buried in ruins, their faith forgotten by time. This is the story of a remarkable resurrection
Northern Gate of Sanchi Stupa
This photograph is of the Sanchi Stupa, which is one of the oldest and finest examples of Buddhist architecture synchronizing with the rise and fall of Buddhism in India. It was taken in 1882 by Lala Deen Dayal. The Sanchi Stupa is one of the oldest and finest example of the architecture of the Shunga… Read more »
Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath
This is a photograph of the Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath. Taken by Francis Frith & Co, it shows the dilapidated state of the ancient Buddhist structure in the village of Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh. Sarnath is among four major sacred places of pilgrimage for Buddhists in India, which are based on four major events in… Read more »
Bodhgaya Temple, Gaya (Mahabodhi Temple)
Bodh Gaya is an important Buddhist site, known primarily as the place where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. The Buddhist complex at Bodh Gaya has a history of worship that goes back 2300 years. The oldest monumental remains here date back to the Mauryan period, during the reign of Asoka. The first Director-General of the Archaeological… Read more »
Ulterior Motifs – Icons & Symbols That Define Madhubani Art
A brief look at the techniques, symbols and themes to which Madhubani artists return again and again for sustenance and grounding. These are the artistic and spiritual leitmotifs of Madhubani paintings