1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 16L 16T 16ab 16s 17 18 19 20a 20b 21 22 23 24 24a1 24a2 25 26 27 28 29 30 30a 31 32 32y 33 34 g1,2,3,4,5 g6,7 g8,9,10,11,12 g13,14,15,16 g17,18,19 j1,2 j3,4
Ellora Cave Temples



Dwarapala - detail

The connection between Cave 17 and 21 is most apparent through the images of these dwarapalas. They have much of the same "Elephanta"-type grace that survives, a bit tenuously, in the related figures in Cave 21. And they are similarly posed, each holding a lotus in the proper right hand. As in most Early Kalacuri examples the expected dwarfs above fly toward the shrine, while a single attendant below functions as an ayudhapurusa. This is suggested by the burly form and the mustachioed mien of the dwarf beside the right dvarapala, who appears to hold both a lotus flower and a noose. The other figure is harder to "read" as an ayudhapurusa, for he appears rather old and/or crippled, leaning on his staff. But he is quite directly copied from a counterpart in Cave 26, who also has the three tufts (of hair?) on his forehead and is possibly wearing the hair behind in a snood.

1997 (_CAV2298.jpg)










113 results in Cave 17: