Sengol

About Sengol

• The Sengol is a sacred sceptre linked to righteous governance and the cultural traditions of ancient Tamil civilisation.
• Naming: The term Sengol is derived from the Tamil word “Semmai”, meaning “righteousness”.
• Origin: The tradition of using the Sengol as a symbol of righteous governance began more than a thousand years ago during the Chola dynasty.
• Key Features:
  • Symbol of Authority: Emperors carried the Sengol during ceremonial occasions to represent their authority.
  • Succession: The Chola tradition involved handing over the Sengol from one king to another as a mark of succession and legitimacy.
  • Religious Blessing: A high priest or guru traditionally blessed the new king and conferred the Sengol.
  • Symbol of Independence:  In 1947, it was used in a ceremony to symbolize the transfer of power from the British to the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru.
    • The act signified the beginning of self-governance and the transfer of power to the people of India.
  • Post-Independence: After the ceremony, the Sengol was kept at the Anand Bhavan Museum (Allahabad Museum) for over seven decades before being relocated to New Delhi.
  • Parliamentary Installation: On May 28, 2023, the Sengol was formally installed in a dedicated glass enclosure near the Speaker’s chair during the inauguration of the new Parliament building.
• Making and Sanctification: The Sengol presented during the 1947 independence ceremony was handcrafted by Vummidi Bangaru Chetty and sanctified by the seers of the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam.