The Ancient and Medieval Architecture of India: A Study of Indo-Aryan Civilisation c17.35

c17.35

Above the chhaja is another sculptured frieze occupied mostly by scenes in the Buddhist heavens, and panels in which the sacred goose (*hamsa*), a symbol of the parting soul, is used as a decorative motif. On a narrow band above it, supported by heads which seem to be those of the bats which infest the caves, is a small Vedic rail transformed into a chequer pattern.