Balarama

Sasbahu temples, Nagda

Balarama, the brother of Krishna, sits above Vishnu on the west wall. His attributes are the club (or pestle) and plough. He wears a halo and Vaishnava crown.

Balarama's lower right hand is extended in a gesture of blessing. In his lower left hand, he holds a saligrama. These naturally formed round stones, with circular or spiral markings, are aniconic symbols of Vishnu. They have solar significance, and their use in worship predates the Hindu period in India. (Reference: Elgood, pp 57-59.)