Our Bureau
London
The British Museum is set to unveil a groundbreaking exhibition, Ancient India: Living Traditions, exploring the sacred art of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Opening on May 22, 2025, in the Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery, this world-first exhibition delves into the origins and global spread of devotional art from ancient India. It promises a multi-sensory journey through over 180 artifacts, including sculptures, paintings, drawings, and manuscripts dating back more than 2,000 years.
This unique exhibition examines how sacred art shaped religious traditions and continues to influence the lives of nearly two billion people worldwide. By tracing the evolution of iconic depictions like the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha or the serene Buddha, visitors gain insight into the spiritual and artistic heritage of these religions. The exhibition also highlights how these traditions traveled across the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia and along the Silk Roads to East Asia.
Developed in collaboration with an advisory panel of practising Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains, Ancient India: Living Traditions offers a pluralistic perspective on sacred art. The exhibition integrates contemporary relevance by showcasing how South Asian diaspora communities have brought these traditions into British culture. Key loans from national and international partners enrich the narrative by exploring provenance—the journey of objects from creation to museum acquisition.
Visitors will encounter symbolic footprints that preceded human portrayals of Buddha, cosmic serpents in Hindu art, and nature spirits attending Jain enlightened teachers. These artifacts illustrate how ancient religious practices transformed India’s sacred landscape into enduring devotional forms.
Running until October 19, 2025, this exhibition is poised to be a landmark event for art enthusiasts and cultural historians alike. By bridging ancient traditions with modern contexts, Ancient India: Living Traditions Redefines how sacred art is understood in a globalized world.
