The Colas c36.104

c36.104

Fig. 84. Dvārapālaka, on the right side of entrance to central shrine in the Vijayālayacōḷēśvara temple. Nārttāmalai, ‘Pudukkottah State.’ He stands in the usual *atibhaṅga* pose and has only two hands, a feature met with in early *dvārapālakas*. His hair is arranged like a halo behind his head. Tasselled *muktā-yajñōpavīta* and other ornaments are seen. The terrifying expression is characteristic of images of its kind. The workmanship is fine and shows the mingling of the late Pallava and the early Cōḷa traditions of the art.