Posted on: 27 July 2013

Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh - 3rd century

A large drum slab in limestone ('Palnad marble'), now heavily abraded, carved with a highly decorated stupa the summit of which has been lost. In the entrance to the stupa is a group of nagarajas worshipping the footprints of the Buddha.

-The drum frieze is carved in six registers with scenes possibly from the Mandhatu Jataka and the Bodhisattva enthroned in the Tusita Heaven;

-the six dome slabs depict scenes which include the Conversion of Nanda, the Cakravartin (universal monarch) and scenes from the Mandhatu Jataka. .

© Trustees of the British Museum


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Beautiful...this piece is so intricate. Imagine the time and effort gone into creating just one panel, with every lieumotif so sharply defined.

Thnx..for supplying rare information..

The amaravati gallery of madras museum, which houses most of the friezes, has been under "renovation" for the last five years...and there is no date for its re-opening....