<h1 class="ql-align-center"><strong style="color: rgb(230, 0, 0);">Sandalwood Buddha statue</strong></h1><p class="ql-align-center"><br></p><h3><strong>Context&nbsp;</strong></h3><ul><li class="ql-indent-1">Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a <strong>sandalwood Buddha statue to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during the latter’s two-day state visit.&nbsp;</strong></li></ul><h3><strong>About&nbsp;</strong></h3><ul><li class="ql-indent-1">In this posture, Buddha is sitting in <strong>‘dhyana mudra’ </strong>under the Bodhi tree. The ‘dhyana mudra’ is the mudra of meditation and the attainment of spiritual perfection.</li><li class="ql-indent-1">The Buddha figure, made of pure <strong>sandalwood</strong>, has hand carvings along with traditional designs and natural scenes.</li><li class="ql-indent-1">The <strong>Kadamwood Jali Box</strong> in which the statue was encased is also considered auspicious in Indian culture.</li><li class="ql-indent-1">The art of sandalwood carving is an exquisite and ancient craft that has been practiced in Karnataka for centuries.&nbsp;</li><li class="ql-indent-1">Its earliest origins can be traced back to the 3rd century B.C. when sandalwood was used to make wooden idols and carvings for temples and other religious sites.</li></ul><h3><strong>Sandalwood&nbsp;</strong></h3><ul><li class="ql-indent-1">Indian Sandalwood is a dry deciduous forest species native to <strong>China, India, Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines</strong></li><li class="ql-indent-1">Globally, India &amp; Australia are the largest growers of sandalwood, while the biggest markets lie in the <strong>United States, China, Japan &amp; the Indian domestic market.</strong>&nbsp;</li><li class="ql-indent-1">Sandalwood has been long associated with the Indian heritage &amp; culture, as the country contributed 85% of the world’ sandalwood trade erstwhile. However, off late this has been declining at a fast rate.&nbsp;</li><li class="ql-indent-1">Major Growing areas in India: <strong>Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.</strong></li><li class="ql-indent-1">Sandalwood essential oil has<strong> antiseptic, anti inflammatory, antispasmodic and astringent properties.</strong></li><li class="ql-indent-2">It is used in <strong>aromatherapy to reduce stress, hypertension</strong> and heals wounds and treats skin blemishes.</li></ul><p><br></p><h1 class="ql-align-center"><strong>PRELIMS NOTES:</strong><a href="https://www.sunyaias.com/subscription-details/prelims-2023-sunya-notes-current-affairs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 204);"><strong>CLICK HERE</strong></a></h1><p class="ql-align-center"><br></p>