The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c28.s1.6

c28.s1.6

From out of the depths of its cavernous jaws issue two makaras, one on either side, between which hangs the lovely pendant or lace-like jabot. The great protuding eyeballs, which are so much in keeping with the huge jaws, show great strength and decision of outline. The sharp lower edge of the nostril gives, at once, a well-defined shadow beneath it with no weak half-tones. There is a repetition of this formidable face in that of the lion above, for it is a lion and not a tiger, as its ample mane shows. There can be little doubt that the lion's face was the original of the grotesque kīrtimukha.