Author:

Sanchayeeta Goldar
1Research scholar
Department of History
University of North Bengal
Darjeeling, West Bengal,India

Email: sanchayeetagoldar55@gmail.com

Abstract::Abstract:Throughout history, plants and vegetation have held a profound place in human consciousness,
often perceived as an earth’s vibrant and mysterious green covering. Since ancient times this living
mantle has regarded as a sacred offerings of nature and inspired to spiritual reverence. Various religious
traditions including Hinduism and Buddhism, incorporated plant worship into their belief system. In
Buddhist tradition, certain tress, such as Bodhi tree under which the Siddhartha Gautama attained
enlightenment, were considered sacred and deeply revered. Thus cultural and religious significance is
prominently reflected in Buddhist art botanical element not only enhance the aesthetic value of artwork
but also serve as a potent symbols of enlightenment , purity, and the interconnectedness of life. Bharhut
holds a prominent place in the development of early Buddhist art in India, distinguished by it’s relief
panels that intricately portray a diverse array of botanical elements, including trees. Creepers, flowers,
and fruits. This present paper intense to highlight the vegetal world in the art of Bharhut and assess it’s
cultural-religious significance on the life of the contemporary people of ancient India.

Key Words::Ancient India, Buddhist Art, Bharhut, Culture, Plants, Religion etc.