Mediaeval Temples of the Dakhan c6.40

c6.40

The *kīrtimukha* occurs alone or in combination with the *makara*. This curious "Face of Fame," or mask, is found repeated as a regular band of moulding round the basement of temples. In Gujarāt it is called by the *salāts*, or native builders, a *garāsamukha*, and the moulding a *garāspatti*. It is found as a prominent detail upon many pillars and at the crowns of little ornamental arched niches upon the walls. It also occurs in the corners of ceiling panels, and on the front of the thresholds of doorways. In most cases it appears to be a grotesque caricature of the human face, but, often, as the face of a conventionalised or heraldic lion.¹ In the earlier examples, the face, though grotesque, is a well formed one; in later work the *motif* seems to have been forgotten and it is often difficult to discover any resemblance to a face at all. Some good examples of the earlier type are found at the caves of Ajantā. The origin of the word *kīrtimukha*, which means "Face of Fame," is given in one of the accounts of