Vedika
Also called: Railing · Topic: Early Indian Art and Architecture: Stupas, Rock-cut Caves, Temples · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 4 "Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings"
Meaning
A vedika is the railing that surrounds a stupa. It separated the sacred space around the mound from the secular world outside, meaning ordinary everyday life. The earliest stone railings copied the look of a bamboo or wooden fence. On early stupas these railings, along with the gateways, were often the only carved parts. Many carry votive inscriptions. These are short donation records that name the kings, guilds, monks, nuns and ordinary men and women who paid for them.
Example
At Bharhut (Madhya Pradesh), the stupa was probably built under Asoka. The Shungas later added carved railings showing scenes from the Buddha's life, which are among the earliest Buddhist art.
Don't confuse with
- Torana: the vedika is the fence that goes all around the mound. Toranas are the four carved gateways set into it at the cardinal points.