2025-05-16 Fri

Kalpadruma, also referred to as Kalpataru or Kalpavriksha, is a revered, wish-granting #tree prominent in Hinduism , Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. The concept of Kalpadruma is linked to the SamudraManthan, the churning of the ocean of milk, during which it appeared alongside the divine cow Kamadhenu.

On 27 July 1978, India Post commemorated this significant cultural symbol by issuing a stamp featuring the magical Tree under the theme 'Treasures from Museums of India.' This stamp, with a face value of 50 paise, showcases an image of a 2nd Century BCE Kalpadruma.

The sculpture was discovered by Sir Alexander Cunningham in Vidisha, MadhyaPradesh, which once served as the capital of a column at Besnagar. This site is located approximately one kilometer from the Heliodorus Pillar along the course of the River Betwa. The Kalpadruma tree is positioned on a rectangular vedika (platform) that is adorned with a #Buddhist rail pattern consisting of five pillars. The upper section of the enclosure is segmented into eight compartments, each separated by the hanging roots of the tree. In these compartments, vessels overflowing with treasures and money bags are arranged alternately. The tree possesses long, pendant roots that are laden with square-shaped pieces of money, which accumulate in vessels situated beneath the tree, resulting in an overflow of wealth. The eight compartments likely symbolize the ashta-nidhis (eight treasures) associated with Kuberaa, the God of Wealth. Among these ashta-nidhis, Shankha (conch) and #Padma (lotus) are included, with two vessels bearing their respective symbols. The upper part of the tree is spherical, standing at an overall height of 5 feet 9 inches and a diameter of 3 feet 3 inches.

According to J. Banerji, an eminent historian and Indologist, this capital likely adorned the top of a pillar installed in front of a temple dedicated to SriLakshmi, who is revered as the presiding deity of wealth and nidhis (treasures). However, other scholars, including Sivaramamurti, an #art historian and epigraphist, propose that the column to which this capital belonged may have been part of a shrine dedicated to Kubera. Currently, this sculpture is housed in the Indian Museum, Kolkata.