2025-07-02 Wed

The government Museum in Chennai, also known as the Madras Museum, is situated in Egmore, near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Established in 1851, it holds the distinction of being the second oldest museum in India, following the Indian Museum in Kolkata. The museum spans an area of 16.25 acres and comprises six independent buildings containing a total of 46 galleries. Among its extensive collections, it houses a significant collection of Amaravati sculptures; these sculptures are renowned for their narrative reliefs depicting scenes from the life of Lord Buddha and Buddhist stories.

On 19 June 2003, India Post commemorated the 151st anniversary of this Museum by issuing a set of three stamps. This also formed a part of Miniature sheet issued on the occasion. One of these Stamps prominently featured a sculptured medallion from the historic site of Amaravati.

The Amaravati Stupa, a ruined Buddhist stupa, is located in the village of Amaravathi in the #guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. Construction of the stupa occurred in phases between the 3rd century BCE and approximately 250 CE. Formerly known as the Maha Chaitya and subsequently as Dipaladinne, or the Mound of lamps , the monument was originally adorned with sculptured panels made of limestone and locally sourced 'Palnad marble.' The stupa has contributed significantly to the development of the Amaravati School of Art, recognized as one of the three most important styles of ancient Indian art. In the 19th century, Colonel Mackenzie undertook the first excavation of the site and produced detailed illustrations of the sculptures. Presently, the primary remains of the Amaravati Stupa consist of fragments of its railings, as well as various cross-sections, pillars, slabs, and friezes.

The medallion depicts a significant scene from the Vessantara Jataka, detailing the story of King Bandhuma’s daughters. The narrative recounts that, during the time of Buddha Vipassi, a certain king sent two valuable gifts to King Bandhuma, who ruled from the city of Bandhumati. These #gifts comprised a Golden wreath and sandalwood. King Bandhuma entrusted these presents to his two daughters, with the sandalwood given to the elder and the golden wreath to the younger. Both daughters, however, resolved not to retain the prized items for themselves, choosing instead to present them to the sage Vipassi, who resided in the #deer park of Khema.

The king consented to their decision, and the elder princess took the sandalwood, which she ground into powder and placed in a box. She then sprinkled it over the sage and his dwelling, praying for the blessing of becoming the mother of a Buddha in a future birth. The younger princess offered the golden wreath to the sage with the hope of wearing a similar ornament until she attained sainthood. Their prayers were fulfilled: the elder princess was reborn as Phusati, the mother of Vessantara, and later as Mayadevi, the mother of Siddhartha Gautama. The younger princess was reborn as the daughter of King Kiki, adorned with a golden necklace, and achieved sainthood at the age of 16.

The medallion’s imagery illustrates King Bandhuma in his court, graciously receiving the presents. Seated upon a throne, he is attended by women holding chauris. To the king’s left, a nobleman is depicted introducing the messengers sent by a foreign king, who convey his esteemed gifts—the golden wreath and sandalwood. The two noble ladies, one seated beside the king and the other standing nearby, represent the princesses who received the gifts and honored the sage.