Gaja Dwar of New Parliament
Source: Indian Express
GS I: Art and Culture
Overview
- About Gaja Dwar
Why in the News?
On Sunday morning, days ahead of the new Parliament building holding its first session, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar hoisted the national flag at the Gaja Dwar of the building.
About Gaja Dwar
- The new Parliament has six entrances.
- According to a government note on the Parliament art project, the sculpture of an elephant, or Gaja, has been installed to guard the entrance to the north, since the animal represents intellect and memory, wealth and wisdom, and thereby embodies the aspirations of the elected representatives of a democracy.
- According to Vastu Shastra, the north direction is associated with the planet Mercury, the source of higher intellect.
- The Lord of the direction is Kubera, the god of wealth. Therefore, the Gaja is placed to the north.
Guardians of the other doors
- Asva
- Asva or the horse, standing alert and ready at the southern entrance, is symbolic of endurance and strength, power, and speed, also describing the quality of governance.
- Garuda
- The eagle-like Garuda stands at the eastern ceremonial entrance, signifying the aspirations of the people and the administrators of the country.
- In vastu shastra, the eastern direction is associated with the rising sun representing hope, the glory of victory, and success.
- Makara
- A mythological aquatic creature, the Makara combines the bodily parts of different animals, representing unity in diversity among the people of the country.
- Shardula
- Another mythological creature, Shardula is said to be the most powerful, foremost of all living beings, symbolising the power of the people of the country.
- Hamsa:
- The most important quality of the people of a democracy is the power of discernment and self-realisation born of wisdom.
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