Museum photos 2

These are panels from a stupa from dating from 200 BCE to 400 CE From Bharhut Great Stupa and Piprahwa stupa. This art is later than the Ashoka pillars (260 BCE), and later than the Sanchi Stupa No. 2 (2nd century BCE). 

The exhibit has borrowed from many museums to bring this exhibit together. You can check out the large print explanations. If you can go see the exhibition in person, it's fantastic. 

Macalania: The audio section starts here. The protective naga. A tree, perhaps were the buddha was enlightened?

Mountain Climbers!

Yaksha

The yaksha is giving life to plant life. This mythology is pre-Buddha. Sources of luck and prosperity. The area of India is reliant the monsoons. Rain clouds are life giving. The monks appropriate the role of rainmakers to boost their power and role in society. 

The goddess of abundance...

 

All these relief rocks come from stupas: