Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c12.41

c12.41

their design to prevent monotony, and they merge themselves into a kind of sculptured frieze of great beauty. Each group consists of two kneeling elephants, each animal bearing a male and female rider both wearing resplendent head dresses and loaded with a wealth of jewellery. On the reverse side of these groups, within the side aisles, they are also richly carved, but here horses take the place of the elephants, the former having originally been decked with metal trappings, and the latter provided with silver or ivory tusks. The figures were allegorical and intended to signify the opulence and power of the rulers of the earth on their lordly elephants who kneel in humility before the sacred shrine of the Buddha.