chattra

Chattra is a term of Sanskrit origin meaning umbrella or parasol. In Indian religious and ceremonial contexts, chattra is used as a symbolic emblem of sovereignty, protection, and spiritual authority. It appears in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain art and iconography as a decorative and ritual motif.

Culturally, the chattra signifies auspicious power and safeguarding influence. In many depictions, it is shown as a stylized canopy with one or multiple tiers, often mounted on a pole or placed atop a sacred object. In Buddhist iconography, the chattra is frequently featured above holy figures or relics to denote their sanctity and elevated status; in temple and stupa designs, it serves as a ceremonial crown or protective symbol.

In art and architecture, chattra appears in a variety of forms, from modest single-canopy designs to elaborate multi-tiered umbrellas with finials. The motif is commonly found in reliefs, sculptures, and architectural ornamentation on temples and chhatris (cenotaphs) across South Asia. Beyond religious contexts, chattra has also been adopted as a heraldic element in royal insignia and institutional seals, reflecting themes of governance, tradition, and protection.

Today the chattra continues to be used in decorative arts, temple motifs, and regional heraldry, maintaining its historical associations while adapting to contemporary design. The word is sometimes transliterated as chatra or chhatra, reflecting variations in Sanskrit and Prakrit pronunciation.