Chhatra

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Chhatra is the precious parasol umbrella, which is used as an auspicious symbol in Indian religions.

According to Hindu mythology, it is the emblem of Varuna, also considered an embodiment of kingship. Chhatra is also a deity, yidam and ishta-devata.^{[citation needed]} In various Dharmic Traditions it is an accoutrement of chakravartin. A number of deities are depicted with Chhattra, and they include Revanta, Surya, and Vishnu (in his Vamana avatar). The Chhatra is cordoned amongst the symbols that approach universality within the numerous octavalent suites or sets of Ashtamangala; e.g.:in the Digambar Jain tradition, and Vajrayana tradition.

In Dharmic Tradition iconography, Traditional Tibetan medicine thangkas and Ayurvedic diagrams, the chhatra is uniformly represented as the Sahasrara.

In Vajrayana Buddhism, the umbrella or parasol is included in the 'Eight Auspicious Signs' or Ashtamangala.

[edit] See also

• Flower Sermon

[edit] References

• Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola
• General Buddhist Symbols

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