5. Stupas, Monasteries & Buddhist/Jain Art

Sramanas (or Shramanas)

Refers to the wandering ascetics or monks in ancient India who renounced worldly life to pursue spiritual liberation through practices like meditation, austerity, and ethical living - They were often associated with non-Vedic traditions such as Buddhism and Jainism.

Important Architecture Terms

Chaitya (Place of worship) - Vihara (Place of residence) - Dhamma (Dharma) - Stupa (Mount where the relics of Buddha have been placed).

Parts of a Stupa

Anda (Hemispherical dome) - Torana (Gateway) - Medhi (Processional / Raised platform ambulatory Path) - Vedika (Railings) - Pradakshina patha (A circular path around stupa where devotees walk around) - Also features Harmika, Yasti, and Chattra (umbrella) on top.

Kesariya Stupa

Bihar (Largest Stupa in India) - Built by Ashoka, Excavated by K. K. Muhammed, Discovered by Colin Mackenzie in 1814, Further works done by Gupta Dynasty.

Amravati Stupa

Built by Satavahanas - Location Andhra Pradesh - Discovered by Colin Mackenzie in 1797.

Dhamek & Ramabhar Stupas

Dhamek is in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh (Cylindrical Shape) - Ramabhar is in Kushinagara, Uttar Pradesh.

Sanchi & Shanti Stupas

Sanchi is in Madhya Pradesh (Oldest Stupa in India) - Shanti is in Ladakh (White in colour).

Chir Tope & Piprahwa Stupas

Chir Tope (Dharmarajika) is in Taxila, Pakistan - Piprahwa is in Uttar Pradesh (First built by Sakya Dynasty).

Bharhut & Borobudur Stupas

Bharhut is in Madhya Pradesh - Borobudur is in Java, Indonesia (Largest Stupa in the world).

Sanchi Stupa details

Oldest Stupa of India built by King Ashoka in 3rd Century BC - Enlargement done using Sandstone by Shunga Dynasty - Has four Gateways representing cardinal points added by Satavahanas - First discovered by Henry Taylor in 1818 - Chethiyagiri festival celebrated here - Relics of two important disciples of Buddha (Sariputta and Moggallana) kept here.

Important Monasteries (North)

Ladakh (Thiksey, Hemis, Alchi Gompa) - Himachal Pradesh (Kye Gompa) - Sikkim (Rumtek).

Important Monasteries & Caves (South & Central)

Guntapalle Buddhists Caves (Andhra Pradesh, built by monks during rule of Satavahanas) - Bagh Caves (Madhya Pradesh) - Namdroling Monastery (A Buddhist Monastery located in Bylakuppe, Karnataka, also known as "The Golden Temple").

Eight holy places of Buddhism (Ashta Mahasthana)

Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagara, Rajgir, Vaishali, Shravasti, Sankosia.

Anatta doctrine

It is the Buddhist doctrine that a permanent soul or self does not exist.

Yakshi definition

A female nature spirit symbolizing fertility, abundance, and prosperity - It appears on Sanchi Stupa Toranas as guardian and auspicious figure.

Hariti Yakshi

A blood thirsty yakshi converted by Buddha to a benevolent maternal figure.

Gaj Lakshmi Yakshi

A yakshi surrounded by lotuses and elephants.

Didarganj Yakshi (Mona Lisa of Indian Art)

Famous for mirror like sandstone finish, associated with Mauryan period (3rd Century BC) - A female statue with polished stone found in Patna, Bihar and preserved in Patna museum - Right hand holds a fly whisk called "Chauri" and lower garment is called "Antari".

Salabhanjika Yakshi

Reference to mother of Buddha (Maya) under sala tree giving birth to Buddha.

Prajnaparamita Yakshi

Female deity in Buddhism, source of omniscience of all Buddhas and mother of all Buddhas.