robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit)
imported>245CMR No edit summary |
(robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit)) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{short description|Lotus-headed Hindu Goddess associated with abundance, fertility and sexuality}} | {{short description|Lotus-headed Hindu Goddess associated with abundance, fertility and sexuality}} | ||
[[File:6th century Lajja Gauri relief from Madhya Pradesh India, lotus head with female body.jpg|thumb|6th century Lajja Gauri relief from Madhya Pradesh]] | [[File:6th century Lajja Gauri relief from Madhya Pradesh India, lotus head with female body.jpg|thumb|6th century Lajja Gauri relief from Madhya Pradesh]] | ||
'''Lajjā Gaurī''' is a [[Nelumbo nucifera|lotus]]-headed Hindu goddess associated with [[wikt:abundance|abundance]], [[fertility]] and [[sexuality]], sometimes euphemistically described as ''Lajja'' ("modesty"). She is sometimes shown in a [[childbirth positions|birthing posture]], but without outward signs of pregnancy.<ref>"[https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/38492 Lotus-Headed Fertility Goddess Lajja Gauri]". [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]]. Accessed 24 June 2018</ref> | '''Lajjā Gaurī''' is a [[Nelumbo nucifera|lotus]]-headed Hindu goddess associated with [[wikt:abundance|abundance]], [[fertility]] and [[sexuality]], sometimes euphemistically described as ''Lajja'' ("modesty"). She is sometimes shown in a [[childbirth positions|birthing posture]], but without outward signs of pregnancy.<ref>"[https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/38492 Lotus-Headed Fertility Goddess Lajja Gauri]". [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]]. Accessed 24 June 2018</ref> | ||
| Line 8: | Line 9: | ||
==Iconography== | ==Iconography== | ||
Her fertility aspect is emphasized by symbolic representation of the genitals, [[Yoni]] or the Womb, as blooming [[Lotus (plant)|Lotus]] flower denoting blooming youth in some cases and in others through a simple yet detailed depiction of an exposed [[vulva]]. Added to the fact that she is sitting in a [[squatting position]] ([[malasana]]) with legs open, as in during [[childbirth]], in some cases, the right foot is placed on a platform to facilitate full opening. She is invoked for abundant crops (vegetative fertility) and good progeny. A blossoming [[Lotus Flower|lotus]] replaces her head and neck, an icon often used in [[Tantra]]. The seven [[Chakras]] of human energy anatomy are often depicted as blossoming lotuses, and the Goddess is often depicted in her [[Sri Yantra]] as a [[Yoni]], shown as a simplified triangle at the centre. Further, most [[fertility goddesses]] of the [[Ancient world]] are similarly shown headless, while giving prominent focus to the genitals.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090410142517/http://orissagov.nic.in/e-magazine/Journal/Journal2/pdf/ohrj-07.pdf Iconography Of The Goddesses]</ref> The arms of the goddess are bent upwards, each holding a lotus stem, held at the level of the head again depicted by the matured lotus flower. | Her fertility aspect is emphasized by symbolic representation of the genitals, [[Yoni]] or the Womb, as blooming [[Lotus (plant)|Lotus]] flower denoting blooming youth in some cases and in others through a simple yet detailed depiction of an exposed [[vulva]]. Added to the fact that she is sitting in a [[squatting position]] ([[malasana]]) with legs open, as in during [[childbirth]], in some cases, the right foot is placed on a platform to facilitate full opening. She is invoked for abundant crops (vegetative fertility) and good progeny. A blossoming [[Lotus Flower|lotus]] replaces her head and neck, an icon often used in [[Tantra]]. The seven [[Chakras]] of human energy anatomy are often depicted as blossoming lotuses, and the Goddess is often depicted in her [[Sri Yantra]] as a [[Yoni]], shown as a simplified triangle at the centre. This is a feature present in all the Kohbar Mithila Paintings which are worshipped by newly weds in a Maithil Wedding. | ||
Further, most [[fertility goddesses]] of the [[Ancient world]] are similarly shown headless, while giving prominent focus to the genitals.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090410142517/http://orissagov.nic.in/e-magazine/Journal/Journal2/pdf/ohrj-07.pdf Iconography Of The Goddesses]</ref> The arms of the goddess are bent upwards, each holding a lotus stem, held at the level of the head again depicted by the matured lotus flower. | |||
Owing to an absence of verifiable text in [[Vedic]] traditions on the [[iconography]], she doesn’t seem to hold any exalted position in [[Hindu]] pantheon, despite her strong presence throughout India, especially in the tribal region of [[Bastar state|Bastar]] in [[Central India]] and downwards to the South. The goddess is sometimes called ''Lajja Gauri'', interpreted by some as the Innocent Creatrix, the [[Creator deity]]<ref>''[http://www.tamilartsacademy.com/articles/article14.xml Book Review] Forms of the Goddess Lajja Gauri in Indian Art'', by Carol Radcliffe Bolon. 1992. {{ISBN|978-0-271-00761-8}}.</ref> or at times simply "Headless Goddess", or ''Aditi Uttanapada'' <ref name=adi>[https://books.google.com/books?id=k8y-vKtqCmIC&pg=RA1-PA85&dq=Lajja+Gauri&as_brr=0 Aditi Uttanapada (Lajja Gauri): Creatrix and Regenrator] Images of Indian Goddesses: Myths, Meanings, and Models, by Madhu Bazaz Wangu. Published by Abhinav Publications, 2003. {{ISBN|81-7017-416-3}}. Page 84-86.</ref> by modern archeologist, academicians and [[Indologists]].<ref name=adi/> | Owing to an absence of verifiable text in [[Vedic]] traditions on the [[iconography]], she doesn’t seem to hold any exalted position in [[Hindu]] pantheon, despite her strong presence throughout India, especially in the tribal region of [[Bastar state|Bastar]] in [[Central India]] and downwards to the South. The goddess is sometimes called ''Lajja Gauri'', interpreted by some as the Innocent Creatrix, the [[Creator deity]]<ref>''[http://www.tamilartsacademy.com/articles/article14.xml Book Review] Forms of the Goddess Lajja Gauri in Indian Art'', by Carol Radcliffe Bolon. 1992. {{ISBN|978-0-271-00761-8}}.</ref> or at times simply "Headless Goddess", or ''Aditi Uttanapada'' <ref name=adi>[https://books.google.com/books?id=k8y-vKtqCmIC&pg=RA1-PA85&dq=Lajja+Gauri&as_brr=0 Aditi Uttanapada (Lajja Gauri): Creatrix and Regenrator] Images of Indian Goddesses: Myths, Meanings, and Models, by Madhu Bazaz Wangu. Published by Abhinav Publications, 2003. {{ISBN|81-7017-416-3}}. Page 84-86.</ref> by modern archeologist, academicians and [[Indologists]].<ref name=adi/> | ||
| Line 15: | Line 18: | ||
==Worship== | ==Worship== | ||
Icons of Lajja Gauri have been found in different villages, and local people identify her with other goddesses such as [[Aditi]], Adya Shakti, [[Renuka]] and Yallamma.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=rjL3ogbdJNkC&pg=PA5&lpg=PA5&dq=Lajja+Gauri&source=web&ots=hNmLKl0Lxd&sig=yb9h_owFr-6xT-umhEpxAt14y_M&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result Chapter one:Left Halves] ''The Goddess in India: The Five Faces of the Eternal Feminine'', by Devdutt Pattanaik. Published by Inner Traditions / Bear & Company, 2000. {{ISBN|0-89281-807-7}}. ''Page 4''.</ref> | Icons of Lajja Gauri have been found in different villages, and local people identify her with other goddesses such as [[Aditi]], Adya Shakti, [[Renuka]] and Yallamma.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=rjL3ogbdJNkC&pg=PA5&lpg=PA5&dq=Lajja+Gauri&source=web&ots=hNmLKl0Lxd&sig=yb9h_owFr-6xT-umhEpxAt14y_M&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result Chapter one:Left Halves] ''The Goddess in India: The Five Faces of the Eternal Feminine'', by Devdutt Pattanaik. Published by Inner Traditions / Bear & Company, 2000. {{ISBN|0-89281-807-7}}. ''Page 4''.</ref> A notable sculpture of her dating 150 - 300 CE was found at [[Amravati]] (now kept at State Museum, [[Chennai]]),<ref>{{cite web |author=George Abraham |url=http://huntington.wmc.ohio-state.edu/public/index.cfm?fuseaction=showThisDetail&ObjectID=30031232 |title=sculpture of Lajja-Gauri |publisher=Huntington.wmc.ohio-state.edu |date=1990-01-01 |accessdate=2013-03-14 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710113333/http://huntington.wmc.ohio-state.edu/public/index.cfm?fuseaction=showThisDetail&ObjectID=30031232 |archive-date=2012-07-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Tribal]] areas of [[Central India]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Karnataka]], where the town of [[Badami]], known for the [[Badami Cave Temples]], has a sculpture of the deity preserved at the local Archeological Museum, originally found in Naganatha Temple, Naganathakolla, [[Bijapur district, Karnataka|Bijapur District]],<ref>[http://www.karnatakatoursandtravel.com/karnataka-travel-guide/badami-travel.html Badami Travel] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209005115/http://www.karnatakatoursandtravel.com/karnataka-travel-guide/badami-travel.html |date=2008-12-09 }} ''Karnataka Travel''.</ref> and has an extant temple dedicated to the goddess in [[Badami Chalukya Architecture]], within the town precincts dating to [[Chalukya Empire]] which flourished around 6th century AD.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/India/South/Karnataka/Badami/photo868895.htm |title=The Lajja-Gouri Temple inside the Badami |publisher=Trekearth.com |date=2008-04-09 |accessdate=2013-03-14}}</ref> [[Maithils|Maithili]] people worship Lajja Gauri during the marriage.She is an integral part of the Kohbar Mithila Painting which is kept in the nuptial chamber of newly weds. | ||
Another arguable interpretation by Dr. Ramachandra C. Dhere in his book entitled, ''Lajja Gauri'' is that Lanja/Lanjika means 'naked', reminds us of the geographical area in Konkan (Maharashtra), called Lanja. | Another arguable interpretation by Dr. Ramachandra C. Dhere in his book entitled, ''Lajja Gauri'' is that Lanja/Lanjika means 'naked', reminds us of the geographical area in Konkan (Maharashtra), called Lanja. | ||
| Line 27: | Line 30: | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[Kamakhya]] | |||
* [[Dilukai]] | * [[Dilukai]] | ||
* [[Sheela na gig]] | * [[Sheela na gig]] | ||