PM unveils National Emblem atop New Parliament Building

The National Emblem: also known as Lion Capital
Taken from Asoka’s Pillar at Sanchi Stupa in Sarnath near Varanasi.
Built by Mauryan Emperor Asoka.
The Pillar is made using Polished Sandstone.
It was built to commemorate Buddha’s first sermon after getting enlightened at Sarnath called Dharmachakrapravartan.
The original Pillar had 5 components
The shaft; made of a single stone
A lotus base bell
A drum on the base bell with 4 animals proceeding clockwise (abacus)
Figures of 4 lions which are seated back-to-back on a circular abacus.
The crowning part, a large wheel which represents Dharmachakra in Buddhism (the wheel of dhamma/dharma).

Source The Hindu

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