An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c17.s3.9

v1.c17.s3.9

12.3.8 *Objects of domestic worship.* Plaques of stone, metal and terracotta depicting divinities and tiny figures of various deities, votive tablets, etc., which are commonly available in the Śaka-Kushan and later levels at various sites, form significant objects of daily *devānuṣṭhāna.* Amongst the notable such objects of Kushan times mention may be made of: plaques depicting Kārttikeya and a framed animal-faced goddess with a male deity in bronze; terracotta Viṣṇu and Mahiṣamardinī from SONKH; *nāga*, Bodhisattva and Lakṣmī figures of terracotta; stone tablets of homage (Jaina *āyāgapaṭas*) from Mathura; clay images of Naigameṣa; *mātṛkās* carved on clay tablets from various sites; and a *yantra* containing an *aṣṭadala-padma*, *pīṭha* with *vṛtta*, *bindu* and the outline of a *bhupura* below from CHIRAND. In the Gupta and later periods there are many important cultic figures, including Mahiṣamardinī plaques from AHICCHATRĀ, BHITA, RAJGHAT and MATHURA (which also yielded a plaque with Pārvatī; plaque with Viṣṇu in relief from UJJAIN; and scores of medieval *pūjā-vigrahas* of the Buddhists from NĀLANDĀ, RATNAGIRI, ANTICHAK and other sites; and small bronze coins including a Gaṇeśa from RAJBADIDANGA.