Buddhist and Hindu Mythology

Vibrant murals and intricate paintings illustrating sacred texts, deities, and mythical tales from Buddhist and Hindu traditions.

Priest and warrior at altar to Kulkulcan, Chichenitza, AD 900. Sun symbol. Mayan, Mexico.

Mural in Palcho Monastery, Gyantse, Gyantse County, Tibet, China

Krishna and Balarama Play with Gopas, Folio from a Bhagavata Purana (Ancient Stories of the Lord) (recto), Text (verso). India, Delhi region or Rajasthan, 1525-1550. Drawings; watercolors. Opaque watercolor and ink on paper

Temple Banner with Pilgrimage Sites and Scenes from the Svayambhu-purana (Ancient Text of the Primordial Buddha), 1635. Nepal, Kathmandu Valley. Opaque watercolor and gold on cotton; overall: 39 x 130.2 cm (15 3/8 x 51 1/4 in.). During annual festival days in Kathmandu, horizontal cloth banners are hung on courtyard walls in Buddhist monasteries, where monks and lay people gather to watch ceremonial performances. Exposed to the elements and crowds of people, such banners rarely survive intact. This piece is a fragment of probably half of a complete banner.The paintings illustrate a story from a Nepalese text about the primordial Buddha named Svayambhu, meaning self-created,” whose stupa, the white hemispherical monument seen three times in the lower register, is a sacred center in the Kathmandu Valley. In the upper register are pilgrimage places in and around Kathmandu, located along the Bagmati River and its tributaries. In the lower register is the story of a king, shown on horseba

Painting on tiles lord Ram with Sita and Hanuman Shiv Mandir built in 1950 taluka Bhiwandi district Thana Copyright: xAnilxDave/DinodiaxPhotox

The Holy Krakutsanda teaching holy law, then consecrating Brahmins who become monks, then the sage ascending Caukha mountain to anoint them and his word bringing forth pure water, detail from the Swayambhu Purana, an important Buddhist sacred text in Nepal, gouache, Nepal. Nepalese Civilisation, 19th century.

Investiture of a Daoist Deity. Artist: Unidentified Artist. Culture: China. Dimensions: Image: 19 in. × 30 ft. 3/4 in. (48.3 × 916.3 cm)Overall with mounting: 19 in. × 34 ft. 1 in. (48.3 × 1038.9 cm). Date: inscription dated 1641.This painting, an unsigned work of a provincial atelier, is a rare example of popular religious art. Modeled on imperial commendation scrolls, with their ornamental borders of dragons chasing flaming pearls, the scroll illustrates the investiture of a local god into the Daoist pantheon. The first half of the scroll depicts the court of the Jade Emperor, supreme deity of popular Daoism. The enthroned emperor is flanked by four female attendants, four high officials, and two constellations of star deities, as well as guardians of the east and west, who are accompanied by their directional emblems, the dragon and tiger. Approaching this assembly is a file of haloed deities who have entered the sacred precincts through a pair of heavenly gates. The second half o

Sweet Dew Ritual, 19th century, Unknown Korean, H.41-15/16 x W.57-1/4 in. (image), Ink and color on silk, Korea, 19th century

RETABLO DE SAN MARTIN - ROMANICO. Location: MUSEO DE LAS PEREGRINACIONES. SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA. A CORUÑA. SPAIN. SAINT MARTIN OF TOURS.

Hanging with the Three Stars late 17th century-early 18th century China This embroidered altar hanging is remarkable for its bold and expressive designs. The top and most important register features auspicious figures known as the Three Stars: Happiness (fu), Emoluments and Official Preferment (lu), and, in the center, Longevity (shou). Five boy attendants are meticulously embroidered with sweet faces and in lively postures. The middle and lower sections are decorated with sumptuous fruit offerings and auspicious animals and plants.. Hanging with the Three Stars 53703

Priest and warrior at altar to Kulkulcan, Chichenitza, AD 900. Sun symbol. Mayan, Mexico.

Apocalypse of St-Sever (Latin MS 11th century). Adoration of 24 elders. Christ in Majesty, surrounded by symbols of evangelists. Elders hold stringed instruments and raise cups in salutation. Scenes surrounded by angels. B.M., London

Old Buddhist wall paintings of inspiration and suffering in the Wat Pa Huak temple, Phu Si Berg, Luang Prabang, Laos, South East Asia, Asia

Artist S. Rajam, saint, sadhu, swami, sanyasan, monk, devotion, meditation, hindu belief, hindu, hinduism, art, yoga, himalayan academy art, samadhi, gods, god, durga, shiva, adi shankara, brahma, surya, murugan, shakti, vishnu, Copyright: xHimalayanxAcademy/DinodiaxPhotox

Golden chariot in Wat Phra Kaew murals, Grand Palace; Bangkok, Thailand

Gubyaukgyi Temple, near Wetkyi-in village, displays strong Indian influence. Its spire is not the usual cicada shape but straight-sided and tapered like that of the Maha Bodhi Pagoda in Bagan village. The Gubyaukgyi Temple was restored in 1468. Inside are the remains of tempera wall paintings, including a charming one of Gautama Buddha during his incarnation as a hermit walking with his mother, as well as a frieze of the 28 Buddhas (24 are from previous cosmic worlds, while the last four are from the present world cycle, Gautama being the 28th Buddha). Each one sits under a different tree, for each enlightenment took place under a different species.

Krishna and the Kshatriya Maidens Proceed to Dvaraka: page from a Bhagavata Purana series ca. 1520-30 Sa Nana In this episode from the Bhagavata Purana (Ancient Stories of Lord Vishnu), we see Krishna, Satyabhama (one of his wives), and the 16,100 Kshatriya maidens he has rescued (all of whom he later weds), departing the demon Naraka's home in Assam to journey across northern India to Dvaraka, in western India. The ladies travel in regal style, in a convoy of palanquins (upper register), Krishna and his wife on a carriage drawn my mules. This series marks the maturity of the early Rajput style, and witnessed its dissemination to workshops in northern India.. Krishna and the Kshatriya Maidens Proceed to Dvaraka: page from a Bhagavata Purana series 37846

The Kizil Caves (Qizil Ming Oy; Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas) are 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township in Xinjiang. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres by road northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road. The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in Xinjiang, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings mostly Jataka stories remain.

Musicians Playing At The Emperor's Court Chinese Art

Ancient Thai mural painting of the Life of Buddha inside of Buddhist temple, Thailand

Amrita-Raja banner, 1755, colour on silk, ambrosia painting, from the temple of Kukch'ong-Sa, South Korea. Detail. Korean Civilisation, Joseon dynasty, 18th century.

Wall painting, also known as Ramayana Fresco, with scenes from the Khmer version of the classic Indian epic of Ramayana in the covered galleries of the Silver Pagoda, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Southeast Asia, Asia

Nanda and the Elders, page from a Bhagavata Purana, c. 1525. India, Mewar or Delhi/Agra region, pre-Mughal, 16th century. Ink and color on paper; overall: 16.3 x 21.5 cm (6 7/16 x 8 7/16 in.).

Artist S. Rajam, hindu belief, hindu, hinduism, art, himalayan academy art, shiva, blessing, village, ancient, cows, vedic, ganesh Copyright: xHimalayanxAcademy/DinodiaxPhotox

Murals on temple depicts marriage of goddess Meenakshi in, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India August-2009 Copyright: xMxAmirtham/DinodiaxPhotox

'Offerings to the Angry Deities'. Tibet, Early 19th century. Dimensions: 78x58 cm. Museum: State Hermitage, St. Petersburg.

The Goddess, Kali, and the Seven Mothers in Battle (recto), Goddess Fights a Titan and Text (verso), Folio from a Devimahatmya (Glory of the Goddess). India, Karnataka, Mysore, circa 1825. Manuscripts. Opaque watercolor, gold, and ink on paper

Mural painting on the walls of a Buddhist temple, Bhutan.

Frontal depicting the childhood of Jesus by Anonymous. Dated 14th Century

Maharana Jawan Singh of Mewar Receiving the Governor General of India, Lord William Cavendish Bentinck, February 8th, 1832 Attributed to Ghasi. Maharana Jawan Singh of Mewar Receiving the Governor General of India, Lord William Cavendish Bentinck, February 8th, 1832, ca. 1832. Opaque watercolor, gold and silver on cloth, 74 7/16 × 50 3/8 in., 88 lb. (189 × 128 cm, 39.92kg). This large painting depicts an important meeting that took place at the 1832 Ajmer darbar, the first major gathering of India's Rajput rulers with the British governor general. A darbar is an official audience between rulers that includes a series of strictly regulated ceremonial meetings heralded by gun salutes and punctuated by an exchange of nazar (gifts). Maharana Jawan Singh of Mewar (ruled 1828-38), identified here by his gold nimbus and gold patka (sash), receives Lord Bentinck, who is formally attired in an orange coat. They share a throne made specially for the occasion. Jawan Singh's gifts to the British

The Shaolin Temple, martial arts training center. Henan, Song Shan Mountain, China

Mural on the wall of temple in wat Pho, Thailand

Abhimanyu Greets his Mother by Touching her Feet, Scene from the Story of the Marriage of Abhimanyu and Vatsala, Folio from a Mahabharata (War of the Great Bharatas). India, Maharashtra, Paithan, circa 1850. Drawings; watercolors. Opaque watercolor on paper

Myanmar. Shan State. Shwenyaung. Shwe Yan Pyae Monastery. Glass mosaics line the walls of the 19th century monastery.

The Jamia al-tawarikh, ('Compendium of Chronicles') or Universal History is an Iranian work of literature and history written by Rashid-al-Din Hamadani at the start of the 14th century.

Ajanta Caves Maharashtra India Copyright: xRajeshxVora/DinodiaxPhotox

miniature painting on silk, royal procession Copyright: xBhagwandasxRupani/DinodiaxPhotox

Chinese maidens bring delicacies to a seated noble. Gouache painting by a Chinese artist, ca. 1850.

Scene in the mosque at the Imam Reza shrine, Aqa Mirak (active 1524-1576)

King 8-Deer Jaguar Claw in council with 8-Copal Eagle. Mixtec Codex- Codex Zouche, MEXICO.

Pantheon of Taoist deities; XVIII-19th century (1601-00-00-1700-00-00);Knothe, Jerzy (1917 -2002), Knothe, Jerzy (1917 -2002)-collection, care deities (iconogr.), Chinese (culture), coil painting, Chinese art, purchase (provenance), ganglings, vertical scrolls

The Gopis Plead with Krishna to Return Their Clothing: Folio from "Isarda" Bhagavata Purana ca. 1560-65 Master of the "Isarda" Bhagavata Purana Perhaps the greatest of the pre-Mughal Hindu manuscripts known, this edition of the Bhagavata Purana is admired for its pictorial sophistication, its animated narration, and above all, its sheer joie de vivre. This painting captures the essence of the text, which recounts Krishnas amorous water-sports with the gopis (cowherds). Krishna sits in a tree, the robes of the women fluttering from his shoulder, as the dark lord reaches out to touch them, all and one together. They gaze with warm love-laden eyes and gesture devotion, praying for union with their lord. Hindu devotional worship (bhakti) had rarely been so passionately expressed in manuscript painting. Stylistically, this series evolved from the Caurapancasika group of paintings and forms a bridge with the emerging hybridity represented by the Tutinama. It displays a complex spatial rende

Laos, Luang Prabang. Temple Wat Hosian Voravihane

Suleyman besieging the Hungarian stronghold of Belgrade in 1521, detail of manuscript no 1517 p 409A Topkapi Palace Museum, Istanbul, Turkey

Death of the Historical Buddha (Nehan-zu) 14th century Japan Essential tenets of Buddhism are explicit in paintings of the Buddha Shakyamunis nirvana, his passing from earthly life to the ultimate goal of an enlightened being: release from the bonds of existence through negation of desires that cause lifes intrinsic suffering. Facing westward in a final trance after a long life of teaching, the golden body of the Buddha bears the marks of his enlightened nature. Short curls covering his head indicate his ascetic life, while elongated earlobes adorned with heavy jewelry reflect his birth as a prince. A cranial protuberance and a circle of light between his brows attest to his penetrating wisdom.Those witnessing the Buddhas passing from earthly life reveal their own imperfect level of enlightenment in the extent of their grief. Bodhisattvas, who have achieved the spiritual enlightenment of Buddhahood, show a solemn serenity. Except for the Bodhisattva Jiz?, who appears as a monk holdi

Murals in veerabhadra temple at Lepakshi Andhra Pradesh India Copyright: xMxAmirtham/DinodiaxPhotox

Painting on cloth of Buddha´s victory over Mara, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia

Over the course of Japan's Edo period, the Okinawan Kingdom of Ryukyu sent eighteen missions to Edo, the capital of Tokugawa Japan. The unique pattern of these diplomatic exchanges evolved from models established by the Chinese, but without denoting any predetermined relationship to China or to the Chinese world order. The Kingdom became a vassal to the Japanese feudal domain of Satsuma following Satsuma's 1609 invasion of Ryukyu, and as such were expected to pay tribute to the shogunate; the missions also served as a great source of prestige for Satsuma, the only Japanese feudal domain to claim any foreign polity, let alone a kingdom, as its vassal.

Champavati was the sister of Vikramaditya, a legendary emperor of Ujjain, who lived in the first century BCE.

Angel of God witnessing the destruction of Sodom, Arabic miniature, 16th Century.

Tamzhing / Tamshing Lhundrup Monastery was built in 1501 by Bhutanese saint Pema Lingpa (1450-1521) and is a temple complex in Bumthang District, central Bhutan. Tamzhing Monastery is the most important Nyingma gompa in Bhutan, a Tibetan Buddhist ecclesiastical place of learning that is a mix of a fortification, a vihara (monastery) and a university.

Colourful mythological paintings on the ceiling dome of Seth Ram Gopal Poddar Chhatri. 500 murals depicting lives of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna, built 150 years ago, located in Ramgarh, Shekhawati, Rajasthan, India Colourful mythological paintings on the ceiling dome of Seth Ram Gopal Poddar Chhatri. 500 murals depicting lives of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna, built 150 years ago, located in Ramgarh, Shekhawati, Rajasthan, India Copyright: xZoonar.com/RealityImagesx 21843544

Andromenadros, The Pharmacist, surveys agricultural work, miniature from the Book of Antidotes by Galen of Pergamo, Arabic manuscript, 1199, Iraq.

German 15th Century, The Last Judgment with the Apostles, c 1460 The Last Judgment with the Apostles

Falnama refers to the book of omens used in the ancient Islamic world to aid in predicting the future. Individuals seeking insight into the future would engage in a series of purification rituals, turn to a random page in the Falnama, and interpret the text and drawings thereon for good or ill. Falnama were primarily created during the 16th and 17th centuries as the approach of the Islamic millennium inspired concern about the future. During this time, the Falnama was likely a common object, used by fortune tellers throughout modern day Iran and Turkey. The book was also appended to copies of the Koran commissioned by rulers and wealthy individuals. Despite its apparent popularity in the ancient world, only four copies of the large 'folio' Falnama are known to remain in existence. Of these, one is in such delicate condition that it is permanently housed in the university library at Dresden, Germany.

Ascension of Muhammad: The Prophet Rides on the Buraq, the Archangel Gabriel Hovers Before Him 16th C. Sultan Muhammad (active ca. 1505-1550 Persian) Book miniature British Museum, London, England

Siddhartha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from ancient India who founded Buddhism. The time of his birth and death are uncertain: most early 20th-century historians dated his lifetime as c. 563 BCE to 483 BCE, but more recent opinion dates his death to between to between 486 and 483 BCE or, according to some, between 411 and 400 BCE. Wat Buak Khrok Luang, located in Ban Buak Khrok Luang Moo 1, Chiang Mai - Sankamphaeng Road, Chiang Mai, is a small and typically northern Thai Buddhist temple. It is believed to have been founded in the 15th century during the time of the independent Lan Na Kingdom (1292-1558), and was extensively restored during the reign of Chao Kaew Naowarat (r.1911-1939), the last King of Chiang Mai. The temple is chiefly noteworthy for its main viharn, which is purely Lan Na in inspiration, with a four-tiered roof and elegant naga balustrade entrance. The most remarkable aspect of the viharn is its extensive mural paintings, dating from around 1835 during the reign

Picture on the wall of buddhist temple in china

Armenia: King Leon II (c. 1236-1289) with Queen Guerane and their five children, Le Royaume Armenien de Cilicie, 1272 CE

Serego funerary monument, by Giambono Michele, 1424 - 1429, 15th Century, fresco, sculpture. Italy. Veneto. Verona. Sant'Anastasia Church. Detail of The Eternal Father with hosts of angels in a scarlet red mandorla. Red blue wings

India, Andhra Pradesh State, Lepakshi, Murals in Veerabhadra Temple, 16th Century murals in Veerabhadra Temple, Lepakshi, The temple complex was built during the rule of king Achyuta Deva Raya of the Vijayanagar dynasty in the mid-16th century by the brothers Veeranna and Virupanna, Nayak chieftains and governors of Penukonda,

Jacob Burying Idols Under an Oak Tree from The Story of Jacob series 1550-75 Netherlandish, Brussels The story of Jacob as depicted in this set of six tapestries (1983.73.1-.6) begins with the scene of Esau selling his birthright to Jacob (Gen. 25:29-34). Esau, the hunter, sits with his bow and quiver at his feet. He clasps hands with Jacob, his brother, who is clad in the starred robe that will identify him throughout the story. By this handshake Esau and Jacob seal their agreement, and the former accepts a bowl of food in exchange for his birthright as firstborn. The secondary scenes represent different moments in time and serve to advance the story. In the center distance Esau is shown hunting with two dogs. To the right, Rebecca, mother of Esau and Jacob, is seen cooking outside the tent, probably preparing food for Jacob to present o his father, Isaac (Gen. 27). The narrative continues to unfold in the other tapestries, which depict Rachel giving her servant Bilhah to Jacob (Gen.

Apan Monks and Craftsmen Symbol of The Contact Within Different Worlds

Golden carvings of Buddhist history on a Temple's wall

Pilgrims at Mecca. Artist: Unknown

India, Tamil Nadu, Chidambaram, Nataraja temple, murals on Sabha mendap (Assembly Hall), 17th century

Avalokitesvara Mandala depicting the Bodhisattva of compassion in her aspect as Amoghapasa. Nepal 1860

Assembly of Buddhist Deities, 1846. Korea, Joseon dynasty (1392-1910). Handscroll; ink and color on silk; overall: 78 x 216 cm (30 11/16 x 85 1/16 in.).

ARMENIA, YEREVAN, CATHEDRAL OF ECHMIADZIN, HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMENIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, RELIGIOUS WALL HANGINGS

Raising the Alms-Bowl 17th-18th century Unidentified artist This painting tells the story of how the Buddha converted the child-eating demon Guizimu (Hariti, in Sanskrit) to the Buddhist faith. To show her the pain that her abductions and carnage were causing, the Buddha imprisoned one of Guizimus children under a magical bowl; the chaotic scene shows Guizimus demon armies futilely trying to lift the bowl and free the child. The Buddha watches, hovering in mid-air, backed by flames and accompanied by luohans and other followers. This painting was made with the intent to deceive: the many early collection seals are fake and were added to make the painting look older (and more valuable) than it was.. Raising the Alms-Bowl. Unidentified artist Chinese. China. 17th-18th century. Handscroll; ink, color, and gold on paper. Ming (1368-1644) or Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Paintings

The Monkey Leader Angada Steals Ravana's Crown from His Fortress. Artist: Attributed to Manaku (active ca. 1725-60). Culture: India (Punjab Hills, Guler). Dimensions: 22 5/16 x 33 in. (56.7 x 83.8 cm). Date: ca. 1725.This scene is described in Valmiki's Ramayana: "Then Angada the powerful son of Bali, scaled Ravana's palace up to its roof . the impact of his bounds caused it to crumble." The great monkey warrior Angada is shown four times: leaping over the ramparts and casting down demons, stealing Ravana's crown, flying though the air to return to Rama's camp, and attending the crowning of Vibhishana, the rightful ruler of Lanka. The recovery of the crown does not feature in the Ramayana text and appears to have been invented by the artist to give visual authority to Rama, seen here fulfilling his divine mission to restore virtuous rule to the world. This Ramayana series was never finished. In this folio the color had been blocked in but details are lacking; other folios from the

The Pilgrims in a Palace, Folio from a Kedara Kalpa (Book of Kedara). India, Himachal Pradesh, Guler, circa 1800-1820. Drawings; watercolors. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper

Jarasandha's army advances toward Krishna and Balarama, folio from a Mahabharata. Date: ca. 1800-1815. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper. Origin: Kangra, Himachal Pradesh state, India. Museum: Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.

The Ramayana is a story as old as time and - at least in the Indian subcontinent and across much of Southeast Asia - of unparalleled popularity. More than two thousand three hundred years ago the scholar-poet Valmiki sat down to write his definitive epic of love and war. The poem Valmiki composed is styled the Ramayana, or 'Romance of Rama' in Sanskrit. In its present form, the Sanskrit version consists of some 24,000 couplets divided into seven books. The Ramakien is the Thai version of this epic and has an important influence on Thai literature, art and drama. It is regarded as the National Epic of Thailand. Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha); full official name Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. It is located within the precincts of the Grand Palace. The Grand Palace served as the official residence of the Kings of Thailand from the 18th century onwards. Construction of the Palace began in 1782, during the reign of Ki

Murals in veerabhadra temple at Lepakshi Andhra Pradesh India Copyright: xMxAmirtham/DinodiaxPhotox

Scenes from Life of the Buddha Court of King Mindon Burmese or King Tibaw Burmese 1880s This pictorial manuscript belongs to the finest quality of court production associated with the last decades of the court of King Mindon (r. 1853-78), and his successor King Thibaw (r. 1878-85). Such richly illustrated manuscripts were produced primarily for court use, to serve as manuals of instruction utilized by monks in narrating moralizing Buddhist stories. The range of quality of such illustrated books suggests that they were also copied outside the court, by commercial workshops. This example appears to be a deluxe edition, displaying an extensive suite of panoramic scenes executed to a high standard.It depicts episodes from the biography of the historical Buddha, beginning with the gifting of parkland to the Buddha at Jetavana, Sravasti, and concluding with an episode at Rajgir, near Bodhgaya, when the physician/healer Jivaka cures King Bimbisaras ailments. The story of Jivaka, the illegitim

Death of Buddha, painting on cloth, Rangsit Collection, Bangkok, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia

Wat Ratchapradit (Rajapradit) was constructed in the mid-19th century during the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV). Many of the murals in the main viharn portray Thai ceremonies and festivals that take place during the year and were painted in the late-19th century.

MOCTEZUMA II (1467-México,1520). Noveno "tlatoani" o rey de México-Tenochtitlan (1502-1520). Antes de ser coronado, se distinguió como militar y sacerdote. Fue un gobernante autoritario. "RECIBIMIENTO DE MOCTEZUMA Y DANZAS DE LOS MEXICANOS EN CANOAS POR LA LAGUNA". Cuadro enconchado firmado y fechado por Miguel González en el año 1696. 97 x 53 cm. Procedente del Museo del Prado. Museo América. Madrid. España.

Wat Buak Khrok Luang, located in Ban Buak Khrok Luang Moo 1, Chiang Mai - Sankamphaeng Road, Chiang Mai, is a small and typically northern Thai Buddhist temple. It is believed to have been founded in the 15th century during the time of the independent Lan Na Kingdom (1292-1558), and was extensively restored during the reign of Chao Kaew Naowarat (r.1911-1939), the last King of Chiang Mai. The temple is chiefly noteworthy for its main viharn, which is purely Lan Na in inspiration, with a four-tiered roof and elegant naga balustrade entrance. The most remarkable aspect of the viharn is its extensive mural paintings, dating from around 1835 during the reign of Chao Phuttawong (r.1826-1846), the fourth ruler of the Chiang Mai Thipchang Dynasty. The murals, which are northern Thai in style with clear elements of Shan State and Konbaung Dynasty Burmese influence, are among the best in northern Thailand. They feature the jataka stories, past lives of the Buddha, and are interspersed with vern

The Jamia al-tawarikh, ('Compendium of Chronicles') or Universal History is an Iranian work of literature and history written by Rashid-al-Din Hamadani at the start of the 14th century.

Scenes From Krishna's Life, Folio from a Bhagavata Purana (Ancient Stories of the Lord). India, Madhya Pradesh, Malwa, circa 1700. Drawings; watercolors. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper

17th century murals in thondikulam siva temple, kerala, india Copyright: xMxAmirtham/DinodiaxPhotox

The Ramayana is a story as old as time and - at least in the Indian subcontinent and across much of Southeast Asia - of unparalleled popularity. More than two thousand three hundred years ago the scholar-poet Valmiki sat down to write his definitive epic of love and war. The poem Valmiki composed is styled the Ramayana, or 'Romance of Rama' in Sanskrit. In its present form, the Sanskrit version consists of some 24,000 couplets divided into seven books. The Ramakien is the Thai version of this epic and has an important influence on Thai literature, art and drama. It is regarded as the National Epic of Thailand. Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha); full official name Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. It is located within the precincts of the Grand Palace. The Grand Palace served as the official residence of the Kings of Thailand from the 18th century onwards. Construction of the Palace began in 1782, during the reign of Ki

Murals in veerabhadra temple at Lepakshi Andhra Pradesh India Copyright: xMxAmirtham/DinodiaxPhotox

Temujin proclaims himself Genghis Khan at the kurultai, a political and military council of ancient Mongol or Turkic chiefs and Khans, suppl Persan 1113, author Rashid al-Din Tabib

Suleyman I and viziers, TURKEY.

Murals in veerabhadra temple at Lepakshi Andhra Pradesh India Copyright: xMxAmirtham/DinodiaxPhotox

'Manjushrikirti'. Tibet, Early 18th century. Dimensions: 65x40 cm. Museum: State Hermitage, St. Petersburg.

The Jamia al-tawarikh, ('Compendium of Chronicles') or Universal History is an Iranian work of literature and history written by Rashid-al-Din Hamadani at the start of the 14th century.

King Tirumala Nayaka in Procession India 1640-50 The extraordinary painted cotton textile is a visual tableau of 17th century court life from the Nayaka kingdom of south India. It served as an enclosure screen when the patron, a Nayaka ruler and his courtiers, were on campaign, and undoubtedly on other occasions in and beyond the court. The architectural arcading of colonnades and cusped arches echoes those preserved Nayaka palace architecture. The unconventional composition was undoubtedly orchestrated by the patron to reflect his particular vision of court life. View more. King Tirumala Nayaka in Procession. India. 1640-50. Cotton, hand-painted mordant-dyed and resist-dyed (kalamkari). Textiles-Painted and Dyed

Maharana Jawan Singh of Mewar Receiving the Governor General of India, Lord William Cavendish Bentinck, February 8th, 1832 Attributed to Ghasi. Maharana Jawan Singh of Mewar Receiving the Governor General of India, Lord William Cavendish Bentinck, February 8th, 1832, ca. 1832. Opaque watercolor, gold and silver on cloth, 74 7/16 × 50 3/8 in., 88 lb. (189 × 128 cm, 39.92kg). This large painting depicts an important meeting that took place at the 1832 Ajmer darbar, the first major gathering of India's Rajput rulers with the British governor general. A darbar is an official audience between rulers that includes a series of strictly regulated ceremonial meetings heralded by gun salutes and punctuated by an exchange of nazar (gifts). Maharana Jawan Singh of Mewar (ruled 1828-38), identified here by his gold nimbus and gold patka (sash), receives Lord Bentinck, who is formally attired in an orange coat. They share a throne made specially for the occasion. Jawan Singh's gifts to the British

Coronation ceremony delicate stucco works, wall at Nayak Darbar Hall inside Thanjavur palace complex, Thanjavur; Tanjore, Tamil Nadu, India, Asia

Bathing of the Buddha Festival 1833 China. This affable and remarkably zany cast of characters plays upon the festive atmosphere of an annual celebration held to commemorate the birth of the historical Buddha and his first shower by water-bearing dragons. Some of the disciples pictured flaunt pseudo-religious ìmiraclesî one opens his stomach to reveal the Buddha nature within and another magically creates a temple in mid-air. Other disciples nonchalantly engage on superficially mundane activities that allude to Buddhist conduct, such as mending clothes and reading sutras. A lion, elephant, tiger, dragon, and phoenix are also in attendance; some serve as traditional vehicles of Buddhist deities, whereas others are more generally auspicious. Together, these personalities exude the vitality of a secularized but nonetheless sincere faith.. Hanging scroll, ink and color on paper . Hua Ziyou

Maharana Jawan Singh of Mewar Receiving the Governor General of India, Lord William Cavendish Bentinck, February 8th, 1832 Attributed to Ghasi. Maharana Jawan Singh of Mewar Receiving the Governor General of India, Lord William Cavendish Bentinck, February 8th, 1832, ca. 1832. Opaque watercolor, gold and silver on cloth, 74 7/16 × 50 3/8 in., 88 lb. (189 × 128 cm, 39.92kg). This large painting depicts an important meeting that took place at the 1832 Ajmer darbar, the first major gathering of India's Rajput rulers with the British governor general. A darbar is an official audience between rulers that includes a series of strictly regulated ceremonial meetings heralded by gun salutes and punctuated by an exchange of nazar (gifts). Maharana Jawan Singh of Mewar (ruled 1828-38), identified here by his gold nimbus and gold patka (sash), receives Lord Bentinck, who is formally attired in an orange coat. They share a throne made specially for the occasion. Jawan Singh's gifts to the British

Shaka (Shakyamuni), the Historical Buddha, with Two Attendant Bodhisattvas and Sixteen Arhats 14th century Japan This scroll depicts the Buddha on a bank of swirling clouds at upper center, preaching to a varied group of figures at Vulture Peak. He is flanked by attendant bodhisattvas: Fugen, at right riding a white elephant, and Monju, at left on a blue lion. Below this heavenly triad are sixteen arhats (rakan), enlightened ascetic followers of the Buddha, who engage in a diversity of activities in a landscape of jagged rocks, caverns, and rushing waterfalls. Joining them are two historical figures, both crucial to the development of Japanese Buddhism: at left in a red robe is Shōtoku Taishi (574-622), an imperial prince and early patron of Buddhism, and at right the monk Kūkai (774-835), founder of the Shingon sect of Esoteric Buddhism.. Shaka (Shakyamuni), the Historical Buddha, with Two Attendant Bodhisattvas and Sixteen Arhats. Japan. 14th century. Hanging scroll; ink, color, and

The Degaldoruwa Buddhist temple is a cave temple and was built originally in 1771 CE by King Kirti Sri Rajasinha (1747 - 1782), a member of the Madurai royal family. The beautiful frescoes, painted by the samanera (unordained monk) Devaragamapola Silvatenna in 1771-72, capture 18th century Kandyan life with amazing detail and vivaciousness. Some paintings depict the king and the royal family. The artist-monk started a trend, and the Dambulla Caves were subsequently redecorated in the same style as were other temples. Kandy is Sri Lanka's second biggest city with a population of around 170,000 and is the cultural centre of the whole island. For about two centuries (until 1815) it was the capital of Sri Lanka.

Frescoes apsaras, celestial nymph typically consort of gandharva or heavenly musician or king kassap s concubines or tara the consort of avalokiesvara Copyright: xAnilxDave/DinodiaxPhotox

A column emerges from the sacrificial fire as eighteen deities perform a yagna, an old vedic ritual where offerings are made to the god of fire, Agni. Gouache painting by an Indian artist.

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