Mediaeval Temples of the Dakhan c9.s2.5

c9.s2.5

A most superb piece of carving overarches the entrance to the antechamber.. Forming a semicircular arch are three bands, the centre one of little dancing dwarfs. These rise from the jaws of two *makaras*, one on either side, with the most wonderful tails of flowing arabesque, which turn up over their backs and forward on to the arched bands. The central semicircular panel, under the arch, is occupied by a representation of Śiva dancing the *tāṇḍava*. A musician on his left keeps time on his drum, and Pārvatī sits on his right amazed at his performance. Three wedge-shaped slots in the stone, under this sculpture, show that another slab had been slipped on below which probably was a sculptured band containing Śiva's *gaṇa*.