Dvarapala

Cave temple of Shiva
Elephanta Island

The dvarapalas at Elephanta wear the same crown and jewels as Shiva himself, proclaiming their connection with the god. Now largely missing are the clubs and swords they held, and the ganas (dwarf followers of Shiva) which accompanied them. Stylistically, the dvarapalas trace back to Gupta-period Buddhist traditions of the preceding century: details of body and facial form, as well as decoration and hair style, clearly link them to the bodhisattvas of Ajanta.

Shown here is the dvarapala on the east face of the linga shrine (previous page).