For centuries, the ancient port city of Quanzhou in Fujian Province stood as one of the most important gateways of the Maritime Silk Route, where ships did not merely carry spices, silk, and precious goods, but also faith, philosophy, and artistic traditions from distant lands. Among the many silent witnesses to this cultural exchange is a remarkable 800-year-old stone carving that reveals the deep spiritual connection between India and China.
This rare sculpture portrays an elephant performing an act of worship over a Shiva Lingam, a sacred symbol in Hinduism representing divine creation and cosmic energy. Experts believe this carving dates back to the Song and Yuan dynasties, a time when Quanzhou flourished as an international trading hub. The presence of such a distinctly Hindu image in China stands as powerful evidence of South Indian influence, brought by Tamil merchant communities who settled along these shores.
The Consulate General of India in Guangzhou has also recognised this artefact as an important historical link, highlighting the deep civilisational and spiritual ties shared between the two ancient cultures.
Carved from dark diabase granite and measuring approximately 50.2 by 70.5 centimetres, the sculpture was originally part of the historic Kaiyuan Temple complex. This temple remains one of the most extraordinary examples of cross-cultural art in China. Its pillars and stone walls still bear carvings of Hindu deities and motifs that closely resemble the artistic styles of the Chola and Pallava dynasties of South India. These artistic similarities are not accidental, but the result of Tamil merchant guilds such as the Ayyavole, who played a major role in shaping the religious and cultural landscape of Quanzhou during medieval times.
These traders did not come as conquerors, but as carriers of devotion. They built shrines, contributed to temple architecture, and preserved their spiritual identity far from their homeland. Through their faith, they left behind sacred imprints in stone that continue to speak even after eight centuries.
Today, this extraordinary elephant and Shiva Lingam carving is carefully preserved at the Quanzhou Maritime Museum, where it stands not merely as a museum piece, but as a timeless reminder of a sacred connection that transcended oceans.
It is a symbol of an era when devotion travelled across seas, when cultures met without conflict, and when faith found a home even in distant lands.
Source : The Bharat Post
