The female as cult object in Buddhism

Silver alloy statue of Tara

Tara (goddess)

Silver alloys--Archaeological Museum, Anuradhapura--Sri Lanka

Miniature art

This miniature silver alloy image of Tara in the Anuradhapura Archaeological Museum has been identified as ‘Janguli Tara’, the goddess who protects people from calamities such as snake-bite. She carries a cobra in her hand and has four seated Buddhas carved round her head-dress. It was discovered near Mannar, Sri Lanka. It may be ascribed to the 8th to the 10th century period, the heyday of Mahayana Buddhism in Sri Lanka according to historians.

Sirima Kiribamune

Anuradhapura National Museum, Sri Lanka

ca. 8th-10th century A.D.

Period of study: 1986-1987

Version: 01/12/2012

Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Technical Officer: Wijesinghe, Lalith

Technical Assistant: Jayasundare, Subhashini

Photographer: Madanayake, I.S.

International Center for Ethnic Studies, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation

American Institute for Sri Lankan Studies, Colombo

All rights reserved by International Center for Ethnic Studies, Sri Lanka.

Forms part of Photographic documentation of Women as depicted in early Sri Lankan sculpture and painting / Slide in present collection

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