Goddess Laksmi or Shri in the Art of early Sri Lanka

Goddess Lakshmi or Shri

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.

Sirima Kiribamune

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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PDWESLSP.S.47

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