Photo gallery overview
These plates originate from the study “On the use of Human remains in Tibetan ritual objects” by Ayesha Fuentes. This dissertation examines the cultural history and material applications of human remains in Tibetan rituals, utilizing conservation, te...
Total images: 207 – see all »»
These photos depicts objects exhibited at the Maritime Archaeology Museum in Galle (Sri Lanka). These include objects recovered from the 2nd century B.C. Godawaya shipwreck in association with the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation and t...
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These photos were taken at the Galle National Museum. It is one of the most significant heritage sites in Sri Lanka's southern half and was constructed in Dutch architectural design and was utilized as a warehouse. There is some evidence that the bui...
Total images: 172 – see all »»
The Sandagiriya or Sandagiri Stupa is part of an ancient Buddhist Monastic complex in Tissamaharama (Southern Sri Lanka) which also represents an important archaeological site. It is believed that the Sandagiri Stupa was built somewhere around the 3r...
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These photos were taken at the Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara situated in Sri Lanka, which includes a large Stupa that can be seen from afar. The whole complex is an ancient Buddhist temple which can be dated to the 3rd century BC. According to Thera...
Total images: 34 – see all »»
Kaludiya Pokuna Archaeological Site
The Archaeological Site of Kaludiya Pokuna is situated in a forest to the east of Dambulla and the Kandalama Lake (in Sri Lanka). The name “Kaludiya Pokuna” means "lake of black waters" which makes sense since there a small reservoir of water in the ...
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Sigiriya refers to an archaeological important site in Sri Lanka dating to the 2nd century BC when it functioned as a monastery. In the fifth century, King Kassapa I transferred the administrative centre from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya in order to ...
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Habarana Tampita Rajamaha Viharaya
The Habarana Tampita Rajamaha Vihara [Viharaya] is a small Buddhist temple situated in Habarana (Sri Lanka) built during the Kandyan era. Technically, a “Tampita Vihara [Viharaya]” refers to a certain structure built on a wooden platform which itself...
Total images: 49 – see all »»
Polonnaruwa represents one of the most ancient cities of Sri Lanka and the archaeological site preserves the remains of various structures dating to the 10th century CE. Some of the important kings who reigned in this kingdom are King Vijayabahu I an...
Total images: 64 – see all »»
Iconography based on Shaivite narrative
These plates originate from the book The Creation of an Iconography as based on Shaivite narrative (original title: “La création d'une iconographie sivaïte narrative”) which details the sculptures and construction temples of the Pallava dynasty (in t...
Total images: 250 – see all »»
Shaivite legends of Kanchipuram
These plates originate from the book The Shaivite legends of Kanchipuram (original title: “Les légendes çivaïtes de Kāñcipuram”) which details the story and legends of the Kanchipuranam: a book that presents Kanchipuram as an important seat of Hindui...
Total images: 108 – see all »»
The Patan Museum is located on the Durbar square of Patan (Lalitpur/Lalitapura) in Kathmandu, Nepal. The complex of which this museum is part of is known locally as the Keshav Narayan Chowk palace, which is associated with Keshavnarayan or Keshava-Na...
Total images: 212 – see all »»
The Svayambhunath or Swayambhunath Stupa is a large Buddhist monument situated in Kathmandu Nepal. The site stands as perhaps the holiest of all Buddhist pilgrimage destinations, especially for the Buddhist Newars. Swayambhu-Nath has a rich legendary...
Total images: 122 – see all »»
Nepal: Natural History Gallery
The objects that are collected and displayed here in this gallery are extremely important and rare. The form and contours of various animals have been prepared following the taxidermy technique and they look as they did when living. Also in this gall...
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Buddhist Art Gallery: 108 Bodhisattvas
Lokeshvara (or Avalokiteshvara) is known for having various forms. A group of one hundred and eight Lokeshvaras is well-known in the Kathmandu Valley. The present collection of the drawings by a Nepalese painter is based upon the painting depicting t...
Total images: 108 – see all »»
Buddhist Art Gallery: Northern Himalayan Section
These photos represents Buddhist objects from the Northern Himalayan Section in Nepal, such as paintings, scriptures, sculptures, ritualistic objects, etc. The items are exhibited in the National Museum of Nepal (Kathmandu), also known as the Rashtri...
Total images: 198 – see all »»
These plates originate from the book "Vaishnava Iconology in Nepal" by Pratapaditya Pal which represents a study of both Vaishnava religion and art in Nepal in a historical perspective. The primary source consists of images or icons portraying Vaishn...
Total images: 110 – see all »»
Three Hundred and Sixty Buddhist Deities
These plates originate from the publication "Two Lamaistic Pantheons" (1937) by Walter Eugene Clark; From Materials collected by the Late Baron A Von Stael-Holstein. The present publication gives a complete reproduction of the 360 figures of the Chu ...
Total images: 360 – see all »»
These plates originate from the publication "Two Lamaistic Pantheons" (1937) by Walter Eugene Clark; From Materials collected by the Late Baron A Von Stael-Holstein. The present publication gives a complete reproduction of the 766 preserved images or...
Total images: 757 – see all »»
Jain Remains of Ancient Bengal
These photographs accompany the study on Jain Remains of Ancient Bengal based on the fields of Archaeology, Art and Iconography. Jainism represents a way of life incorporating non-violence and approaches religion from humanitarian viewpoint. Ancient ...
Total images: 333 – see all »»
Architecture of Stupas in Orissa
These photographs accompany the study Stupas and Votive Stupas in Odisha or Orissa (Eastern India).—Buddhism dominated the life of people in India for more than 2500 years and form the beginning had a revolutionary and inspiring impact on the Indian ...
Total images: 377 – see all »»
Sculptural Art of the Pallava Period
These photographs accompany the study of the Social and Cultural History of the Pallava period (as gleaned through the Sculptural Art). The Pallavas rose to power in the Krishna-Guntur region after the fall of the Ikshvakus of Vijayapuri (circa 3rd c...
Total images: 536 – see all »»
Jainism is a splendid living religion with a well defined world view, metaphysics, code of ethics and based on non-violence, truth and righteous conduct. Odisha or Orissa is one such place in the country, where Jainism flourished along with Buddhism ...
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From ancient times Andhra Pradesh always formed a significant territorial and cultural unit on the southern side of the Vindhyan range in the Indian subcontinent. The region witnessed the emergence of a number of Buddhist monastic establishments from...
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Sculptures in temples in Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam is considered as one of the holiest places in Tamil Nadu. It is situated in the Tanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. It is bounded by two rivers – River Kaveri (Kāverī) on the North and River Arisolar on the South. Kumbakonam is known for its ...
Total images: 640 – see all »»
Hindu sculptures as found on Exotic India. There are over 7500 sculptures found on the main site. Categories include Apsaras, Ganesha, Goddess, Hanuman, Krishna, Shiva, Vastu and Vishnu. ...
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Children’s Illustrated Ramayana
These illustrations are from the book called “Children's Illustrated Ramayana” which is an abridged retelling of the Ramayana authored by Vishnu B while the illustrations are by Vipin K. Das. Source: archive.org (external link; opens in new tab). ...
Total images: 59 – see all »»
Early Indian narrative art of Bharhut
Rooted in human experience, the art of Bharhut is the product of an indigenous culture where the reliefs, patronised by a wide spectrum of society, articulate forthright to the ordinary laity and pilgrims. The overflow of natural forms in the art of ...
Total images: 140 – see all »»
Vaisnava Agamas and Visnu Images
Art in India was always inseparable from other aspects of life. This is very much evident from the literary and archaeological evidences throughout the history of India. The continuity could be maintained only because the tradition itself had an inbu...
Total images: 9 – see all »»
The Siddha cult emerged as a complex system in which the ingredients of the sectarian faiths (viz., Shaivism, Shaktism, Tantric Buddhism, etc.) can be identified. Tradition says that the Kulacara system was brought down by Siddha Minanatha to the ear...
Total images: 224 – see all »»
These photos represent various sculptures and other artworks from Nepal, such as the Wooden Arts of Kumari Ghar. The objects are exhibited in the National Museum of Nepal (Kathmandu), also known as the Rashtriya Museum. This gallery also houses a few...
Total images: 110 – see all »»
Buddhist Art Gallery: Kathmandu valley
These photos represents Buddhist objects from the Kathmandu valley in Nepal, such as paintings, scriptures, sculptures, ritualistic objects, etc. The items are exhibited in the National Museum of Nepal (Kathmandu), also known as the Rashtriya Museum....
Total images: 137 – see all »»
Buddhist Art Gallery: Terai section
These photos represents archeological discoveries from the Terai region and represents various pieces of art, many of which from Buddhist art and architecture. The items are exhibited in the National Museum of Nepal (Kathmandu), also known as the Ras...
Total images: 21 – see all »»
This book [“Vijayanagara Paintings”] by C. Sivaramamurti is a valuable aid to the understanding of Indian iconography and contains 36 colour illustrations, 30 black and white illustrations and 17 line drawings. South India has been a gre...
Total images: 37 – see all »»
Buddhist Art Gallery: Photographs (NMN)
These photos represent exhibitions from the Buddhist Art Gallery as found in the National Museum of Nepal (Kathmandu), also known as the Rashtriya Museum. [...] Buddha, the light of Asia was born in the land of Nepal in Lumbini grove about 76 crowfly...
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Hindu art gallery: Photographs (NMN)
These are photos exhibited in the Hindu art gallery of the National Museum of Nepal (Kathmandu), also known as the Rashtriya Museum. ...
Total images: 9 – see all »»
These photos represent Hindu wood sculptures (kastha-kala), both Hindu and Buddhist, and are exhibited in the National Museum of Nepal (Kathmandu), also known as the Rashtriya Museum. [...] Nepali wood art has gained special position in the history o...
Total images: 40 – see all »»
Buddhist Bronze Sculptures (NMN)
These photos represent Buddhist bronze sculptures (dhatu-kala) and are exhibited in the National Museum of Nepal (Kathmandu), also known as the Rashtriya Museum. [...] The fame of the Nepali bronze art reaches all over the world. From the art histori...
Total images: 21 – see all »»
These photos represent Hindu bronze sculptures (dhatu-kala) and are exhibited in the National Museum of Nepal (Kathmandu), also known as the Rashtriya Museum. [...] The fame of the Nepali bronze art reaches all over the world. From the art historian ...
Total images: 85 – see all »»
Hindu Terra Cotta Sculptures (NMN)
These photos represent Hindu terra cotta sculptures (mrinmaya-kala) and are exhibited in the National Museum of Nepal (Kathmandu), also known as the Rashtriya Museum. [...] The origin of terracotta art in Nepal can be traced as far back as the 3rd ce...
Total images: 19 – see all »»
These photos represent Hindu stone sculptures (prastara-murti-kala) and are exhibited in the National Museum of Nepal (Kathmandu), also known as the Rashtriya Museum. [...] These sculptures depict not only the development of Nepali stone art spanning...
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The Naxal Bhagwati Bahal Temple is situated in Kathmandu Nepal and is dedicated to Goddess Durga. It is an important pilgrimage destination for Hindus to visit during the festival called Dashain. The temple is famous for reportedly housing ...
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Lhakhang (or Lakhang) refers to certain religious buildings found in the Himalaya Mountain region:—In the Sherpa Language “La” means “God” and “Khang” means “house / room”. Lakhang means house/room of God. In Solukhumbu area every Sherpa’s house has ...
Total images: 26 – see all »»
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The Indian Buddhist Iconography
The study of the Buddhist branch of Indian iconography is one of the most interesting and fascinating of all studies. In Buddhist iconography the whole world is interested because Buddhism is not confined within the limits of India like Hinduism or J...
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The following museum exhibitions in this gallery are from the International Mountain Museum in Pokhara. They belong to the category “Flora and Fauna Section”. The text in Devanagari reads: वनस्पति तथा जीवजन्तु शाखा Transliteration (IAST): vanas...
Total images: 49 – see all »»
The Kirat are an indigenous group of Nepal whose kings ruled in present Kathmandu valley since at least 650 B.C. (until approximately 290 A.D.). Their dynasty marked a major development stage in Nepali civilization and culture. The museum exhibitions...
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The Magars are one of the indigenous peoples of Nepal whose written history dates back to at least the 11th century. They originated in the land of Seem (west of the Tribhuli and south of the Himalayan ranges). Alternative spelling: मगर (magara). The...
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The Sherpa are one of the indigenous ethnic group of Nepal (the Himalayan region) that migrated out of Tibet as early as the 13th century. Alternative spelling: शेर्पा (śerpā, serpa). The following museum exhibitions are from the International Mounta...
Total images: 41 – see all »»
The Chhantyal are an indigenous ethnic group of Nepal (the Himalayan and hilly regions) whose origins can be traced to at least the 16th century. Alternative spelling: थकाली (chhantyāl, chantyāl, chantyāla or chantyal). The following museum exhi...
Total images: 41 – see all »»
The Thakali are an indigenous ethnic group of Nepal whose rise of power is dated to mid-19th century. Alternative spelling: थकाली (thakālī). The following museum exhibitions are from the International Mountain Museum in Pokhara. The Thakali people...
Total images: 29 – see all »»
The Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most ancient Hindu temples of Nepal, the current structure dating to at least the 5th century. It is situated on the banks of the holu Bagmati river in Kathmandu, Nepal. The temple complex is dedicated to Lord S...
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Boudhanath Stupa is one of the main Buddhist religious places to visit when in Kathmandu valley. It represents a huge platform in the form of a mandala (diagram) housing a giant white dome with a golden peak. On each side of the square base at the bo...
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