Image title: Terai bead

This image shows an ancient bead from an unknown period. Specifications: carnellian, 5cm x 1.5cm.

The text in Devanagari reads:

मालाको दाना

Transliteration (IAST):

mālāko dānā.

Plain text (initially IAST, brackets indicate Hunterian):

malako dana.

Note: the word Malako comes from the word Malaka (string).

Gallery information:

Terai is a region in southern Nepal where in the sixth century B.C. at Lumbini grove the Buddha spent twenty-nine years of his life. Many excavations resulted in the discovery of various Buddhist sites and have yielded plenty of archeological discoveries such as Buddhist art, potteries and coins. The items found here are exhibited in the National Museum of Nepal (Rashtriya Museum).