Images

The Chaukhandi Stupa was built during the Gupta period (4th and 5th century CE) and is believed to mark the place where the Buddha first met a group of five ascetics (who were later to become his first disciples). Rectangular in shape, with...

The Dhameka Stupa, as seen from the Dharmarajika Stupa. The Dhameka Stupa was built during the Mauryan period (3rd century BCE) and enlarged in the 11th century CE. It is said to mark the spot where the Buddha gave his first sermon to a group...

Remains of the Dharmarajika Stupa. It was built over the relics of the Buddha by Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. It used to be a small circular structure, about 13.5 meters in diameter. It was pulled down during the 18th century CE on orders...

Shiva. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India, 11th CE.

A physician, his herbs presumably in a satchel across his shoulders, pulls out a thorn from the lady's foot. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India, 11th CE.

A class in session. The potbellied teacher is being fanned by a servant girl while he gives the lessons. His students surround him; one has a satchel across his back, another has a tablet under his arm. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India, 11th...

Kuber, the money god. He holds a mace, a twisted weapon, and a mongoose. A money pot is on the floor behind him. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India, 11th CE.

Or, how you should put kajal (kohl, collyrium) on your eyes. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India, 11th CE

A broken sculpture of the five kinds of fire. Hunger is in the foreground. It bites like a scorpion. It is surrounded by the other four fires: greed, envy, lust, and anger. The fire are all skeletal; their ribs show through. A human lies...

There are numerous depictions of Hari-Hara (a combined form of Shiva and Vishnu) but it is relatively rare to see a combined form of Surya and Shiva. The right half of this sculpture is Surya, the Sun God. He is holding lotuses: a fully bloomed...