Ancient Indian Temple Sculptures

Intricate stone carvings from various temples in India, depicting Hindu deities and religious iconography in historical contexts.

Pashtunath Jain temple sculpture, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India, Asia

Hindu goddess Durga (Mahisaurmardini) image. Brihadishwara Temple, Tanjore (Thanjavur), Tamil Nadu, India, the Greatest of Great Living Chola Temples, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Asia

dikpala on wall of jagadambi temple Khajuraho madhya pradesh india Copyright: xSatishxParashar/DinodiaxPhotox

The Bas relief on a pillar of the goddess kali in Soorakudi Shiva temple 1 of the 9 clan temples of chettinad Tamil Nadu Copyright: xMxAmirtham/DinodiaxPhotox

The Bayon temple (late 12th century-early 13th), Angkor Thom, Angkor, Cambodia

brihadishwara temple thanjavur Vishwakarma Tamilnadu India Copyright: xHarixMahidhar/DinodiaxPhotox

Hinduistic statue, Swayambhunat Tempel, Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Erotic, 17th century wooden carvings in Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple Chariot at Madurai, Tamil Nadu, South India, India, Asia

Carved dancing girl on wall of Rani ki Vav, 11th century stepwell dedicated to Hindu god Lord Vishnu, Patan, Gujarat, India, Asia

Male playing flute statue on chennakesava temple Belur Hassan Karnataka India Copyright: xSatishxParashar/DinodiaxPhotox

Huge Buddha statue in Lidanagere cave, Orissa, India Copyright: xBxPxMaiti/DinodiaxPhotox

Figure of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. 11th century. British Museum. London. England. United Kingdom.

India, Karnataka, Mangalore, Moodbidri. Jain temple, Tribhuvana Tilaka Chudamani Basadi (aka Thousand Pillar Temple) c. 1430 AD. Wall carving detail.

Reliefs of Shiva and Parvathi, Chennakesava Temple, Keshava Temple, Hoysala style, Belur, Karnataka, South India, India, South Asia, Asia

Detail from the Lintel of Ganesha and the eight Dikpalas, Eastern India, 1000-1100 AD Carved basalt. Dikpalas guard the temple threshold, standing between the sacred and the profane

Paravasudeva Cave Badami Bagalkot Karnataka India Asia Oct 2010 Copyright: xPhotochromy/DinodiaxPhotox

Religious Carvings On The Doors Of Wat Xieng Thong, Laos

idol of lord vishnu with divine weapons and garuda, tambdisurla mahadeva temple, goa, india Copyright: xBxPxMaiti/DinodiaxPhotox

Anuradhapura is one of Sri Lanka's ancient capitals and famous for its well-preserved ruins. From the 4th century BCE until the beginning of the 11th century CE it was the capital. During this period it remained one of the most stable and durable centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. The ancient city, considered sacred to the Buddhist world, is today surrounded by monasteries covering an area of over sixteen square miles (40 km).

Nandi's representation in the temple of Devi Jagadambi(s.X). Khajuraho.Madhya Pradesh. India. Asia.

Bhairava a destructive manifestation of Siva the Hindu God. This Hindu deity was adopted by Tantric Buddhism in Tibet and is known as Vajrabhairava. 13th century, Hoysala dynasty (1050-1300 AD) chlorite schist sculpture from Karnatakain India

Banteay Srei, Angkor Wat complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia, Southeast Asia, Asia

The Hindu Goddess Parvati. India, Odisha (Orissa), 12th century. Sculpture. Chloritic schist

Close up of Laxmi Narayan sitting on Garuda 12th century AD, Vaishnav cult, Kalchurian period found at Tevar village, district Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India Copyright: xHarixMahidhar/DinodiaxPhotox

ESCULTURA DE KRISHNA - 1238 - KARNATAKA - ARTE HOYSALA. Location: TEMPLO DE KESAVA. SOMNATHPUR. India. KRISHNA ENCARNACION DEL DIOS VISNU.

Bhairava a destructive manifestation of Siva the Hindu God. This Hindu deity was adopted by Tantric Buddhism in Tibet and is known as Vajrabhairava. 13th century, Hoysala dynasty (1050-1300 AD) chlorite schist sculpture from Karnatakain India

Carved sculpture of the river goddess Ganga at the entrance of the Parvati Temple in Kachhagawan, Panna, Madhya Pradesh carved sculpture of the river goddess Ganga at the entrance of the Parvati temple in Kachhagawan, Panna, Madhya Pradesh

Close-up view of Buddha in temple 31, Sanchi near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India Copyright: xHarixMahidhar/DinodiaxPhotox

A stone carving at the base of the massive Jetavana Dagoba at Anuradhapura which was built in 3 AD and is considered to be one of the largest man made brick structures, Sri Lanka

Carved sandstone figure of Hindu god

Exterior detail, Banteay Srei Temple, Angkor, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia

Hindu image of a deity, Kesava Temple, Keshava Temple, Hoysala style, Somnathpur, Somanathapura, Karnataka, South India, India, South Asia, Asia

Vishnu with Lakshmi and Sarasvati, Pala period, 11th century, 48 x 22 x 8 in. (121.92 x 55.88 x 20.32 cm), Grey schist, India, Pala period, 11th century, With regal assurance, the Hindu god Vishnu stands in the posture of perfect balance, atop a lotus and at the center of the universe. Vishnu is honored as the lord of preservation, and with his club and discus, maintains order over the totality of space and time. Here, he is flanked by the goddesses Laxmi, who signifies wealth, and Sarastavi, who plays a string instrument and embodies knowledge. These attributes garnered the deity great patronage among many ruling dynasties, as well as many households today. Here, Vishnu is shown with numerous attendants in a heavenly home. Roundels at the top of the sculpture depict his 10 earthly incarnations, which include popular personalities such as Rama and Krishna, who came to earth in times of trouble and vanquished it from evil.

Nepal, Patan, Royal Palace, wall niche, image of a deity,

The Terrace of the Leper King was built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. Angkor Thom, meaning 'The Great City', is located one mile north of Angkor Wat. It was built in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII, and covers an area of 9 km, within which are located several monuments from earlier eras as well as those established by Jayavarman and his successors. It is believed to have sustained a population of 80,000-150,000 people. At the centre of the city is Jayavarman's state temple, the Bayon, with the other major sites clustered around the Victory Square immediately to the north. Angkor Thom was established as the capital of Jayavarman VII's empire, and was the centre of his massive building programme. One inscription found in the city refers to Jayavarman as the groom and the city as his bride. Angkor Thom seems not to be the first Khmer capital on the site, however, as Yasodharapura, dating from three centuries earlier, was centred slightly further northwest. The last

Angkor Wat Temple, Apsara Dancers, Siem Reap Province, Angkor's Temple Complex Site listed as World Heritage by Unesco in 1192, built at the XIIth Century, Cambodia, Asia

Rock carving of Apsara, Wat Phou, Champasak, Laos

The ancient temple of Ta Prohm , Angkor , Cambodia Ta Prohm, Angkor, Cambodia was inscribed on the UNESCO-WHL 1992. The ancient temple where roots of jungle trees intertwine with the these ancient structures producing surreal world Copyright: xZoonar.com/RudolfxErnstx 13663141

On left Ardhanariswara God Shiva on right God Harihara in monolith rock carving temples, Mahabalipuram, District Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India UNESCO World Heritage Copyright: xMadhusudanxTawde/DinodiaxPhotox

6th century Ganesha in Ravanaphadi Cave temple, Aihole, Karnataka, South India, India, Asia

Shri Esanam in Gokarnanatha temple, Mangalore Karnataka, India Copyright: xMxAmirtham/DinodiaxPhotox

Shiva sculpture on wall of vishvanath temple Khajuraho madhya pradesh india Copyright: xSatishxParashar/DinodiaxPhotox

Lord Krishna playing flute in Bal Krishna temple 1515, Hampi, Hospet, Karnataka, India Copyright: xPxMistry/DinodiaxPhotox

Buddha in Bhumisparsha, from 10 -11th century found in Bihar now exposed in the Indian Museum in Kolkata, West Bengal, India

The Terrace of the Leper King was built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. Angkor Thom, meaning 'The Great City', is located one mile north of Angkor Wat. It was built in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII, and covers an area of 9 km, within which are located several monuments from earlier eras as well as those established by Jayavarman and his successors. It is believed to have sustained a population of 80,000-150,000 people. At the centre of the city is Jayavarman's state temple, the Bayon, with the other major sites clustered around the Victory Square immediately to the north. Angkor Thom was established as the capital of Jayavarman VII's empire, and was the centre of his massive building programme. One inscription found in the city refers to Jayavarman as the groom and the city as his bride. Angkor Thom seems not to be the first Khmer capital on the site, however, as Yasodharapura, dating from three centuries earlier, was centred slightly further northwest. The last

kho phangan bangkok thailand incision gods of earth in green

Chandesh Anugraha Murthy sculpture in 11th century Arulmigu Peruvudaiyar Brihadisvara Temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram near Jayankondam Tamil Nadu, South India, India, Asia. UNESCO World Heritage Site, Asia

Apsara the celestial dancer of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

6th century amorous couple on pillar top looking below in Cave 3, Badami, Karnataka, South India, India, Asia

India, Rajasthan, Jaisalmer. Detail of the decoration from the temple interior in the old fort area of the city.

God Vishnu with Goddesses Lakshmi and Sarasvati. Bangladesh or eastern India. Date: 901 AD-1200. Dimensions: 109.0 × 50.8 × 19.8 cm (42 7/8 × 20 × 7 3/4 in.). Basalt. Origin: Bangladesh. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Indra, Chief of the Gods

Hunter Kannappa, 17th century wooden carvings in Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple Chariot at Madurai, Tamil Nadu, South India, India, Asia

Pillar details of Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque in Qutab Minar complex built in 1311, Indo-Muslim art, Delhi Sultanate, Delhi, India UNESCO World Heritage Site Copyright: xMadhusudanxTawde/DinodiaxPhotox

The Bayon temple detail (late 12th century-early 13th), Angkor Thom, Angkor, Cambodia

Carving Lord Ganesha on the Sri Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India. Carving Lord Ganesha on the Sri Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India. Copyright: xZoonar.com/RealityImagesx 21700546

Temple Door Guardian (Dvarapala) 1600-1800. A wrathful demon, tamed and converted to Hinduism is a suitable guardian for a temple threshold. This example, fanged and highly animated, was meant to terrify any enemies of the temple god. He holds a club and has assumed a warrior pose borrowed from theatre and temple dance.

Cambodia, Angkor, Banteay Srei temple

Cambodia, Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, stone carvings of woman

Statue of Sri Chandranatha Theerthankara, Jain Temple on Vindhyagiri Hill, Shravanabelagola, Karnataka, South India, India, South Asia, Asia

Detail of the teak carvings with angels at the Shwenandaw Monastery (Golden Palace Monastery) in Mandalay Hill, which was built in 1880 by King Thibaw Min with originally parts of the royal palace at Amarapura in Myanmar.

Two golden figures Golden Buddha figures from Swayambhunath Stupa or Monkey Temple in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal Copyright: xZoonar.com/NatalliaxYaumenenkax 4440259

Devata figures on the Prsat of the Chau Say Tevoda temple, Angkor, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia, Asia

kho phangan bangkok thailand incision gods of earth in green

terracotta Buddha statue in Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery, Gujarat, India, Asia Copyright: xAnilxDave/DinodiaxPhotox

Carving details and yali on pillars of Vimahav Maharaja Sri Vaaleeswarar Temple, built in the 12th century, Valikandapuram, Tamil Nadu, India. Carving details and yali on pillars of Vimahav Maharaja Sri Vaaleeswarar Temple, built in the 12th century, Valikandapuram, Tamil Nadu, India. Copyright: xZoonar.com/RealityImagesx 21881095

Banteay Srei (or Banteay Srey) is a 10th century Cambodian temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and is located to the north-east of the main group of temples at Angkor. Banteay Srei is built largely of red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to the elaborate decorative wall carvings which are still observable today. Banteay Srei is sometimes referred to as the 'jewel of Khmer art.'.

Gaja lakshmi on lotus and bathed by elephants in varaha in varaha cave in Mahabalipuram Mamallapuram Tamil Nadu India Copyright: xMxAmirtham/DinodiaxPhotox

Banteay Srei, Angkor Wat complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia, Southeast Asia, Asia

Siem Reap, Cambodia. Stone reliefs depicting a Devata, a female spirit guardian of Hindu and Buddhist mythology on the walls of the Bayon Temple in Preah Khan

Gajasamharamurthy Bas-Relief in a pillar in Thyagaraja Swamy temple in Tiruvottriyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, Asia

The Guardians of the Directions (Dikpala) are the deities who rule the specific directions of space according to Hinduism, Jainism and Vajrayana Buddhism; especially Kalacakra. As a group of eight deities, they are called Asta-Dikpala, meaning guardians of eight directions. Indian sculpture 5th century AD

Virupaksha Temple, Dwarpal, Pattadakal, UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in 800 A.D., Bagalkot, Karnataka, India Copyright: xMadhusudanxTawde/DinodiaxPhotox

Nayika Rani ki vav step well stone carving Patan Gujarat India Copyright: xHemantxPatil/DinodiaxPhotox

17th century frieze of carved wooden figures in a temple complex in Patan in the Kathmandu valley, Nepal, Asia

Shiva in shore temple Mahabalipuram Mamallapuram Tamil Nadu India Copyright: xMxAmirtham/DinodiaxPhotox

Siem Reap, Cambodia, stone reliefs depicting a Devata, a female spirit guardian of Hindu and Buddhist mythology on the walls of the Banyon Temple in Preah Khan

Dwarapalaka gate Keeper statue in Brihadisvara Brihadeeswara Big Temple (10th century) Thanjavur Tanjore, Tamil Nadu, South India, India, Asia. UNESCO World Heritage Site, Asia

Statue in Lingaraj temple, Bhubaneshwar, Orissa, India Copyright: xAnilxDave/DinodiaxPhotox

Ancient stone carving of Hindu god Bhairab, Durbar Square, Bhaktapur, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

8th century Ardhanarishvara left half Shiva, right half Parvati sculpture Kadasiddheswara temple in Pattadakal, Karnataka, South India, India, Asia, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Asia

Statues in lovers, perur temple, coimbatore, tamil nadu, india Copyright: xMxAmirtham/DinodiaxPhotox

Siva Nataraja in Gangaikondacholapuram Temple, India - Chola Period, 11th C.

Reliefs in Mahabaleshwara Temple, Chamundi Hill, Mysore, Karnataka, South India, India, South Asia, Asia

Shiva, the Hindu god, with his wife Parvati. Concept for tantra, Kamasutra, tantric sex Turin, Italy - May 2023: Oriental Art Museum - Shiva, the Hindu god, with his wife Parvati. Concept for tantra, Kamasutra, tantric sex Copyright: xZoonar.com/PaoloxGallox 21566662

Linga (Phallic Emblem) with Four Standing Deities 10th-11th century India (Rajasthan). Linga (Phallic Emblem) with Four Standing Deities 38147

Hinduistic statue, Swayambhunat Tempel, Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Apsara on the wall of Wat Phu temple in Champasak, Laos

Laxmi Narayan sitting on Garuda 12th century AD, Vaishnav cult, Kalchurian period found at Tevar village, district Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India Copyright: xHarixMahidhar/DinodiaxPhotox

Hindu statue inside tower, Prambanan Temple (built 9th century) near Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Goddess Durga Slaying the Demon Mahisha second half of the 9th century Eastern India, Bihar, probably Gaya district Durga slaying Mahisha (Mahishamardini) is here represented in her multi-armed form, manifesting her supreme power as the dispeller of evil, personified in the buffalo demon (asura) Mahisha, seen slumped at her feet. Following the Devi Mahatmya text, she wields the mighty weapons lent to her by the assembly of male gods who singly could not defeat the demon. In this eight-armed form, Durga wields the mighty broad bladed sword above her head with which she has just decapitated the buffalo, whose severed head lies at her feet. With her remaining right hands she displays the discus weapon of Vishnu (also seen embedded in the buffalos side) while pulling an arrow from the quiver she wears on her back, and plunging Shivas trident (trusula) into the demons human form. With her lower left hand she grips the demon by a tress of his hair as she transfixes him with the trident as

woman Dancing sculpture on Jain temple, jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India, Asia Copyright: xHarshalxSathe/DinodiaxPhotox

Apsara . Phnom Penh. Cambodia. (Phnom Penh, Cambodge)

Lion Sitting Pretty Humorous sitting posture of lion on stone pillar at Narasimha Temple in Nandi Hills near Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, Asia Copyright: xZoonar.com/MahanteshxCxMorabadx 16783813

Balarama, elder brother of Krishna and Kalki, the final incarnation of Vishnu. 18th century AD, Southern India.

God hanuman standing pose holding mace, puri, orissa, india, asia Copyright: xNitinxKelvalkar/DinodiaxPhotox

Ardhanariswara god Shiva statue in Dharmaraja Ratha and Pancha Rathas Monolith rock carving temples, Mahabalipuram, District Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India UNESCO World Heritage Copyright: xMadhusudanxTawde/DinodiaxPhotox

Dwarabalaka statue in brihadeshwara temple Gangaikonda Cholapuram Tamil Nadu India Copyright: xMxAmirtham/DinodiaxPhotox

Sculpture of the Twin Miracle found at Sarnath, India

A woman servant carved in stone on the wall at Maheshwar temple, Madhya Pradesh, India Copyright: xSatishxParashar/DinodiaxPhotox

Statue of Buddha in heritage Buddha excavated site, Ratnagiri, Orissa, India Copyright: xAnilxDave/DinodiaxPhotox

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