CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY

Subject: Lakshmi

Subject: Lakshmi Thakurani. Paddy craft uses un-husked rice or paddy which is strung together using cotton thread to create chains, idols of deities, animal figures, garlands and floral arrangements and other votives. This is an image of Goddess Lakshmi. Paddy is a symbol of prosperity, so images of Lakshmi are particularly popular when created with paddy. A khatuli is a low table, on which newly harvested paddy grains are spread for the Manabasa Gurubar puja for Goddess Lakshmi.

Subject: Kalyanasundara Shiva. Kalyanasundara or The Wedding of the Charming One depicts the marriage of Shiva and Uma Parvati. The theme of divine wedding has a very special significance in Tamil Nadu. As Minakshi (Fish-Eyed), Uma is the patron goddess of Madurai, the capital city of the Pandyas and married to Shiva. Shiva also has a different name in Madurai-Sundara, or the Handsome One. This is re-enacted there and at other temples each year as part of the annual Panguni Uttiram temple festival, performed with processional icons of the couple. The god Vishnu and his wife Lakshmi are often pictured as giving away Parvati to Shiva. This image shows Lakshmi, Parvati and Shiva from left to right.

Subject: To left, King standing facing right, wearing waist cloth and jewelry, holding bow in left hand and arrow in right hand. In center, a Garuda-dhvaja; to the left, Lakshmi standing facing left, holding lotus and degenerate diadem [Gold Dinar, Obverse]

Subject: Kalyanasundara: Kalyanasundara or The Wedding of the Charming One depicts the marriage of Shiva and Uma Parvati. The theme of divine wedding has a very special significance in Tamil Nadu. As Minakshi (Fish-Eyed), Uma is the patron goddess of Madurai, the capital city of the Pandyas and married to Shiva. Shiva also has a different name in Madurai-Sundara, or the Handsome One. This is re-enacted there and at other temples each year as part of the annual Panguni Uttiram temple festival, performed with processional icons of the couple. The god Vishnu and his wife Lakshmi are often pictured as giving away Parvati to Shiva. This image shows Lakshmi, Parvati and Shiva from left to right.

Subject: King facing left, Candra circular legend (OBV), Lakshmi on lotus, on right Sri Vikra(ma) (REV)

Subject: King to left, Candra under left arm (OBV), Lakshmi on lotus, (Sri) Vikrama (REV)

Subject: Lakshmi on Elephant. A figure of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi on an elephant who represents wealth and good fortune and is consort of Lord Vishnu, made in cow dung. Cow dung, over centuries, has been used for making toys and figurines as an inexpensive alternative to wooden and metal figures. A lump of mixture of clay and cow dung is shaped and smoothened with a coat of chalk and then painted. These lightweight figures are generally coarse in design and lack detailing and ornamentation. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: King facing left, Candra circular legend (OBV), Lakshmi on lotus, on right Sri Vikrama (REV)

Subject: Kalyanasundara, back. Kalyanasundara or The Wedding of the Charming One depicts the marriage of Shiva and Uma Parvati. The theme of divine wedding has a very special significance in Tamil Nadu. As Minakshi (Fish-Eyed), Uma is the patron goddess of Madurai, the capital city of the Pandyas and married to Shiva. Shiva also has a different name in Madurai-Sundara, or the Handsome One. This is re-enacted there and at other temples each year as part of the annual Panguni Uttiram temple festival, performed with processional icons of the couple. The god Vishnu and his wife Lakshmi are often pictured as giving away Parvati to Shiva. This is the back view of the image. 

Subject: Top: Cooch Behar: Silver Rupee dated 1 SE 1497=1555 of Nara Narayan [1555-87] who extended the state's powers and borders to their greatest extent; Bottom left: Assam, Lakshmi Simha [alias Sunyeopha] silver rupee dated SE 1697= 1775; Bottom Right: Tripura, The coins of this state were unique in that over hundreds of years they portrayed similar fantastic creatures and often included the queen's name. [Three coins]

Subject: Ganesha Group, Ganesh with Lakshmi holding padma (lotus) and Sarasvati holding vina. Published by Shree Lakshmi Agencies, Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu.

Subject: Lakshmi Seated on Elephant. This is a model of Goddess Lakshmi seated on an elephant made from papier-mâché technique. Papier-mâché is a French word for chewed paper. This craft was probably introduced during the Mughal reign. The surface of papier-mâché produces an ideal ground for painting, which is probably the reason the craft became popular in Odisha with its traditional pattachitra painters. This art in Odisha uses a fusion of paper, cloth rags and straw. It is pulped by hand after softening with water. Additives like multani mitti are added to the pulp as an adhesive and for providing a textured finish. Back view of the object. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: King to left, Candra under left arm (OBV), Lakshmi on lotus, Sri Vikrama (REV)

Subject: The Lakshmi Art Printing Works of Bombay lithographed court fee stamps on the reverse side of advertisements as well as pictures of Gandhi and an Egyptian pasha. [Court Fee Stamp]

Subject: King facing left, Deva Sri Maharaja (OBV), Lakshmi on lotus, Blurred on right (REV)

Subject: Kalyanasundara: Kalyanasundara or The Wedding of the Charming One depicts the marriage of Shiva and Uma Parvati. The theme of divine wedding has a very special significance in Tamil Nadu. As Minakshi (Fish-Eyed), Uma is the patron goddess of Madurai, the capital city of the Pandyas and married to Shiva. Shiva also has a different name in Madurai-Sundara, or the Handsome One. This is re-enacted there and at other temples each year as part of the annual Panguni Uttiram temple festival, performed with processional icons of the couple. The god Vishnu and his wife Lakshmi are often pictured as giving away Parvati to Shiva. This image shows Lakshmi, Parvati and Shiva from left to right.

Subject: King facing left, Candra circular legend (OBV), Lakshmi on lotus, on right Sri Vikrama (REV)

Subject: Ewer with Shri Lakshmi Receiving Lustration, Gajalakshmi

Subject: Face on back of halo, Vishnu and Shri Lakshmi Astride Garuda

Subject: Mana (Pot). A mana is a pot made of bamboo canes used in the olden days for measuring paddy. A mana is also filled with freshly harvested paddy grains and worshipped as an icon of Goddess Lakshmi. Paddy craft uses un-husked rice or paddy which is strung together using cotton thread to create chains, idols of deities, animal figures, garlands and floral arrangements and other votives. Paddy is a symbol of prosperity, so images of Lakshmi and utilities for Manabasa Gurubar puja are particularly popular when created with paddy.

Subject: Discus, Vishnu and Shri Lakshmi Astride Garuda

Subject: Kubera with Lakshmi and Hariti, seated found from Manoharpur (Mathura)

Subject: King to left, Moharayada-Chandragupta (OBV), Lakshmi on lotus, Vikramadityah on right (REV)