Bho motif

South face of Tower, Mukteshvara Temple

The bho is framed by two Indonesian-style guardians, wearing snakes in their hair. The guardians flank an ornate chandrashala which depends from the mouth of a kirttimukha. Within the chandrashala is a bell, and below the bell a circular lotus surrounded by flying celestials; in front of the lotus is a head within a smaller chandrashala, arranged as if peeping out from atop a balcony. Below is a scene with court ladies, flanked by two hunting scenes with deer and elephants. The meaning of the bho is not known specifically, but it seems to me to invoke Shiva as protector of the royal household.

Above the bho, a figure of dancing Shiva occupies a shallow projecting niche, which is surrounded by miniature carved shrines. Vertical piers on either side are decorated with fine pierced lattice stonework. On the corner piers, tiny carvings are placed between the amalas.