Smithsonian, the world’s largest museum and research complex headquartered in Washington DC, is showing an exhibition titled ” Arts of the Indian Subcontinent and the Himalayas .” This long-term rotating exhibition showcases the extraordinary range of South Asian and Himalayan art, including sublimely beautiful Buddhist, Jain, Hindu, and Islamic objects, as well as masterpieces of Mughal and Rajput paintings and lavishly decorated court arts and daggers made for the Mughal emperors. Divided into several sections, the Buddhist art charts the emergence of the 
Buddha image in India and its transmission throughout Asia. It includes Budhhist images from Nepal, Tibet, Southeast Asia, and China. Also on view are several Rajput paintings on the theme of love, which demonstrate the bold colors and rhythmic compositions of the Hindu court. Late 19th- to early 20th-century examples of exquisitely crafted gold jewelry complete the exhibition.
Also on display is an online exhibition, “Devi: The Great Goddess” displayed by its Freer Gallery of Art, which talks about various aspects of Devi, manifestations of Devi, cosmic force, creation, woman saints, etc. It depicts images of Bhadrakali, Lakshmi, Parvati, Markama, Durga, Chamunda, Kali, Sarasvati, Ganga, Vasudhara, Ambika, Radha, Sita, Mariamman, Varahi, Saint Karaikkal Ammaiyar, Saint Andal, etc.
Founded in 1846, the Smithsonian consists of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park, and nine research facilities. It has nearly 138 million collections and gets over 28 million visitors (besides over 175 million online visitors) annually. Dr. David J. Skorton is the Secretary.
