The Wick List

Viewing Ancient India: living traditions at the British Museum

The Wick Culture - Ardhanarishvara, lord who is half woman, Shiva and Parvati combined in one deity © The Trustees of the British Museum

Above Ardhanarishvara, lord who is half woman, Shiva and Parvati combined in one deity © The Trustees of the British Museum

The Wick Culture - Ganesha made in Java from volcanic stone, about AD 1000–1200 © The Trustees of the British Museum

Above Ganesha made in Java from volcanic stone, about AD 1000–1200 © The Trustees of the British Museum

The Wick Culture - Gaja-Lakshmi ('Elephant Lakshmi') goddess of good fortune, about 1780 © The Trustees of the British Museum

Above Gaja-Lakshmi (‘Elephant Lakshmi’) goddess of good fortune, about 1780 © The Trustees of the British Museum

The Wick Culture - Seated Jain enlightened teacher meditating, about 1150-1200 © The Trustees of the British Museum

Above Seated Jain enlightened teacher meditating, about 1150-1200 © The Trustees of the British Museum

The Wick Culture - Sandstone figure of Ganesha, Uttar Pradesh, India, about 750 © The Trustees of the British Museum

Above Sandstone figure of Ganesha, Uttar Pradesh, India, about 750 © The Trustees of the British Museum

Above Ardhanarishvara, lord who is half woman, Shiva and Parvati combined in one deity © The Trustees of the British Museum

Above Ganesha made in Java from volcanic stone, about AD 1000–1200 © The Trustees of the British Museum

Above Gaja-Lakshmi (‘Elephant Lakshmi’) goddess of good fortune, about 1780 © The Trustees of the British Museum

Above Seated Jain enlightened teacher meditating, about 1150-1200 © The Trustees of the British Museum

Above Sandstone figure of Ganesha, Uttar Pradesh, India, about 750 © The Trustees of the British Museum

Ancient India: living traditions

British Museum
Now – 19 October 2025

The British Museum’s newly unveiled exhibition, Ancient India: living traditions, offers a riveting journey through the spiritual and artistic evolution of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism – major world religions, all with roots in India. The exhibition delves into the origins of these religions, beginning with nature spirits revered in ancient India, and explores how their worship evolved into the iconic imagery of gods and enlightened teachers.

Running until October 19, 2025, this immersive display brings together over 180 objects – including 2,000-year-old sculptures, vibrant paintings, and sacred manuscripts – to trace the transformation from symbolic representations to the human forms of deities we recognise today. Highlights include a striking statue of Ganesha, bearing traces of pink pigment that signify continuous worship over a millennium. The exhibition also examines the shared artistic heritage of these faiths, produced in cosmopolitan hubs like Mathura, and their spread across Asia and the Mediterranean.

Curated with input from practicing Buddhists, Hindus, and Jains, the exhibition emphasises the enduring relevance of these traditions. It’s a reminder of how ancient ideas and practices continue to thrive in contemporary communities, offering a profound connection between past and present.