Goddess Lakshmi or Shri in the art of early Sri Lanka- Common to both Buddhist and Hindu art in India as well as Sri Lanka is Lakshmi or Shri, the goddess of prosperity. The most popular motif in which she figures is that of ‘Gajalaksmi’ in which the goddess sits or stands on a lotus while two elephants holding pots pour water over her head. The earliest appearance of the Gajalaksmi symbol in India is in the Buddhist sculpture at Bharhut and later Sanchi. This has even led to the view that the motif is symbolic of the birth of the Bodhisattva.
Technical Assistant: Jayasundare, Subhashini
International Center for Ethnic Studies, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation
American Institute for Sri Lankan Studies, Colombo
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Forms part of Photographic documentation of Women as depicted in early Sri Lankan sculpture and painting / Slide in present collection