A chauri is a fly whisk held by attendants of royal or religious individuals. This relief fragment of a chauri bearer was probably part of a larger panel, in which the chauri figure attended a representation of the Buddha. The panel was likely part of a stupa, a mound-shaped structure that contains important religious objects.

Take a close look at the Chauri bearer. What colors, textures, shapes, and lines do you see? What other details do you notice? Can you imagine this Chauri bearer as part of one of the stupas shown below? Why or why not?

Great Stupa, Sanchi, India
Image source: Copyright © 2003, Gérald Anfossi.


Dhâmek Stûpa in Sârnâth, India
Image source: 1999, Gérald Anfossi.

Ruwanwelisaya Stupa in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

The main Stupa crowning the Borobudur Buddhist monument in Java, Indonesia.
Image source: Gunkarta.

Phra Sri Ratana Chedi within Wat Phra Kaeo, Bangkok, Thailand.
Image source: ScorpianPK.