This carved marble relief depicts a remarkable vista of Sammeta-Sikhara, the Peak of Wisdom - 19th century

This carved marble relief depicts a remarkable vista of Sammeta-Sikhara, the Peak of Wisdom. It is the most holy of pilgrimage places for members of the Jain religious community. Jains of all sects believe that 20 of the 24 ‘tirthankaras’ ( founders of the religious community) attained nirvana (i.e. death) on the 20 peaks of this mountain.

Sammeta-Sikhara is situated near Madhuvan, in the Girdih District of Bihar. A winding path leads the pilgrims some six miles from the town of Madhuvan to the hill-shrines of the salvation-teachers. Tents, carriages, wagons and palanquins indicate the presence of pilgrims at the site. Hostels for pilgrims ('dharamshalas') are visible in the foreground. There are a number of temples in the lower left of the panel. These were built under the patronage of the Shvetambara (‘white-clad’) sect, and some date from the period of the Mughal emperor Akbar (ruled 1556-1605).

This ‘tirtha’ (pilgrim site) continues to attract Jain pilgrims. Representations of this holiest of sites are often found in Jain households today. They may take the form of relief panels like this one, or, as is more common, paintings on cloth, commercially printed devotional posters, or photographs.

Source : V&A, London