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Rare stone carvings find place at museum
Stone carvings associated with Buddha find special place in the galleries of Allahabad Museum. Belonging to 2nd century BC, these carvings expose the culture and traditions predominant in that period and all of them were excavated from Bharut, Madhya Pradesh. Significant among multiple stone carvings is a piece which depicts two riders on a decorated elephant. This intricately carved piece appears very genuine but it carries a significant historical incident with it.
Stone carvings associated with Buddha find special place in the galleries of Allahabad Museum.
Belonging to 2nd century BC, these carvings expose the culture and traditions predominant in that period and all of them were excavated from Bharut, Madhya Pradesh. Significant among multiple stone carvings is a piece which depicts two riders on a decorated elephant. This intricately carved piece appears very genuine but it carries a significant historical incident with it.
"After the mahanirvana attained by Gautam Buddha, his remains were taken away by rulers of 16 janpadas in various caskets. This carving in stone depicts the same event," said Dr Prabhakar Pandey, keeper education of the museum.
This carving shows both the human figures bearing flags of their particular regions and carrying caskets.
The lower portion of the stone panel has been decorated with the figures of hanging bells and the upper portion has the designs of lotus in conical shape. It is only a portion of a huge panel as assumed by the remaining carved designs at the anterior and posterior portion of the panel.
Likewise, other stone pieces exhibit the tales from jatak.
Interestingly, the system of engraving captions was also practiced in those times. A stone panel carries the caption 'Hans jatak' in Prakrit. Another noticeable piece is a portion of a pillar which depicts the footprints of Buddha and a hooded serpent is shown providing shelter to them.
The caption reads 'Muchlind Nag Raj Tisya Venakatkaydanam'. "It is yet another remarkable incident. It is believed that during the period of attaining enlightenment, a heavy storm started which could have disturbed Buddha's meditation. But a serpent saved him by providing shelter with his hood. This serpent was named as Muchlind Nag Raj," said Dr Pandey.
Many people used to contribute in the construction of a religious structures in that period. Their names were often carved as a caption on particular stone panels.
Similarly, the best example of old costumes, ornaments and architecture is found on the stone panels depicting 'Sasa Jatak', 'Gaja Jatak' and 'Vessantara Jatak'.
"Buddha is shown in the form of a rabbit as he offered himself to satiate the hunger of a beggar in 'Sasa Jatak'. 'Gaja Jatak' depicts the incident of giving an elephant as a charity in order to appease the rain god," added Dr Pandey.
