Lucknow: On full moon day of Hindu month Vaishakh, observed as Buddha Jayanti or Vesak, one doesn’t need to go too far from the state capital to enjoy the sight of Buddhist relics, as a visit to the Uttar Pradesh State Museum on Lucknow Zoo premises can be enriching and spiritually rewarding. Museum officials said footfall in Buddha gallery is high on Buddha Purnima.The occasion commemorates three pivotal events in Buddha’s life — his birth at Lumbini, enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, and Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar. Dedicated galleries on Buddha are full of artefacts—including oil and thangka paintings, seals, coins, terracotta idols, and sculptures – that tell tales of Buddha’s life and times, some extremely rare ones are compelling and thought provoking.At the Lucknow museum, 5th century sculpture of Buddha in Abhay Mudra (posture to protect followers from all fears), a red stone sculpture excavated from Mathura, is exemplary for its craftsmanship and fine detailing.The equally old Mankunwar Buddha reflects an artistic transition between Kushana and Gupta traditions, blending features of both Mathura and Sarnath schools. The meditative expression, balanced posture and engraved pedestal make it one of the most academically valuable objects in the gallery. Buddha sits in Varda Mudra in this sculpture, showering devotees with benevolence and abundance.A gilded iron head of Buddha from Azamgarh dating back to 6th century, is a fine example of Gupta period aesthetics with its calm half-closed eyes, gently arched brows, refined lips and tightly curled hair crowned by the Ushnisha (a cranial protuberance that sets Buddha apart from common people) symbolising spiritual wisdom.A rare inscribed seated Buddha from ancient Shravasti depicted in Padmasana has lions carved on corners of the throne and has attendant figures below the pedestal. The raised palm bears a ‘chakra’ mark, while halo and elongated ears remain distinct features of the sculpture. Shravasti remains one of the most revered Buddhist sites linked to Lord Buddha’s teachings and monsoon retreats.The collection includes exquisite Bodhisattva forms such as Padmapani and Singhnaad Avalokiteshwar, reflecting spread of Mahayana Buddhist traditions in later centuries. Rich jewellery, royal postures, lotus motifs and detailed crowns seen in these sculptures highlight the evolution of Buddhist art in medieval India and the growing devotional traditions around compassion and wisdom.“Crafted with diverse techniques and artistic traditions the artefacts offer glimpse into a rich civilizational heritage under one roof,” said Amrit Abhijat, additional chief secretary, culture.
