Festivals of Light - Hinduism
Certain elements of Hinduism date back about 4000 years. Most gods are worshipped as aspects of the creator god Brahma. In the 'aarti' ceremony an aarti lamp with five wicks is circulated.
Festivals of Light - Judaism
Light is fundamental to Judaism as a sign of God's spirit and guiding force. On a Friday night, the mother or senior woman of the household lights two candles to welcome in the Sabbath, the day of rest. The light represents hope and joy.
Sikhism & the city of Amritsar
The sacred scriptures of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhism, were lodged in the Harmandir (temple of God) at Amritsar. This was rebuilt by Ranjit Singh and came to be known as the Golden Temple.
Religious processions 1300–1500
Processions played an important role in the medieval religious year, particularly on saints' festivals and during the Holy Week leading up to Easter. They were also held on special occasions - at funerals, during prayers for rain or a good harvest, or when relics were formally moved (or 'translated') from one site to another.
The Sanchi Torso
For nearly 100 years, the Sanchi Torso has occupied pride of place in the Indian galleries of the V&A as the most famous and widely admired piece of Indian sculpture in the Western world.
A gift in your will
You may not have thought of including a gift to a museum in your will, but the V&A is a charity and legacies form an important source of funding for our work. It is not just the great collectors and the wealthy who leave legacies to the V&A. Legacies of all sizes, large and small, make a real difference to what we can do and your support can help ensure that future generations enjoy the V&A as much as you have.
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Gothic: Art for England 1400-1547 (Hardback)
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