Rijksmuseum

Mahakala

Creator

unknown creator of a work (do not use as value of P50; use "unknown value" instead)

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Date: c. 800 - c. 900
Medium: andesite
Institution: Rijksmuseum

The second guard at a Shiva temple is Mahakala, who stands on Shiva’s left side. His demonic characteristics – wild hair, bulging eyes and open mouth, a fat body and curled-up toes – make him the opposite of the graceful Nandishvara. It is likely that his left hand once rested on a club. His index finger points downwards, towards worshippers entering the temple.

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