2025-06-19 Thu

The Baroda Museum and picture Gallery, situated at Sayaji Baug in Vadodara, Gujarat, was established by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. The #Foundation stone of the museum was laid in 1887, and the construction was completed in 1894.

The Museum is constructed in the Indo-Saracenic architectural style and features 28 galleries that display a diverse collection of rare artifacts, as well as paintings that represent the rich historical Heritage of India, Nepal, Japan, China, Europe, Tibet, Egypt, Greece, and the former Baroda State.

One of the important and ancient artefacts in the museum is the Bronze statue of Rishabhanatha which is depicted on the stamp.

Rishabhanatha, also known as Adinatha, is recognized as the first of the 24 Tirthankaras in #Jain tradition. Traditional accounts indicate that he was born to King Nabhi and Queen Marudevi in Ayodhya (#UP). Legends attribute to him the transmission of 72 accomplishments to men—including skills in #writing and arithmetic—and the impartation of 64 crafts to women, such as pottery, carpentry, and weaving. It is believed that he fathered 100 sons and 2 daughters, with Bharata being the most prominent of his sons, known as the first Chakravartin, and his younger brother Bahubali (For more insights refer to This Post

In artistic representations, Rishabhanatha is portrayed in GOLD by the Shvetambara sect and in yellow by the Digambara sect. He is symbolically associated with a bull emblem and the Nyagrodha (Banyan) tree in iconography.

Within Jainism, Yakshas and Yakshis are celestial beings that accompany each Tirthankara, serving as #Guardians and protectors throughout their lives and after achieving enlightenment. Gomukha and Chakreshvari are the Yaksha and Yakshi associated with Rishabhanatha.

Jainism, one of the oldest religions in the world, emerged in India over 2,500 years ago. It is founded upon the principles of non-violence (ahimsa) and emphasizes the pursuit of spiritual purity through disciplined self-control. The Tirthankaras, revered figures in Jainism, have attained the highest spiritual goals and impart teachings for others to achieve these objectives.

On 20 December 1994, India Post commemorated the centenary of the Baroda Museum with the release of a special horizontal se-tenant pair. This se-tenant features Rishabhanatha, along with his Yaksha and Yakshi, which are part of the museum's collection. Dating back to the 6th century CE, Rishabhanatha is depicted standing on a #Lotus in the kayotsarga mudra, flanked by Gomukha on the left and Chakreshvari on the right, both seated on a lotus.