Lintel

"Thousand-Pillared" Temple, 1163

This lintel is located in the interior of the temple, where it spans the entrance of the north shrine. It shows a multi-armed Vishnu in his fierce lion incarnation (narasimha). The dancing god is framed within a multi-lobed arch that issues from makaras; each makara carries a pair of riders (male and female). Vishnu's attributes of chakra (proper right, upper), conch (proper left, upper), rosary (proper left, middle), and fear-not gesture (proper right, middle) can just barely be seen; other attributes are even more difficult to make out, although another of his proper right hands may grip a skull staff. At the very top of the lintel, to the left and right, runs a frieze of flying gandharvas; below, and just above the lobed arch, vegetal rondels enclose some indistinct small figures. Down at the feet of the god there are several small adorants, a kneeling Garuda (proper right), and two somewhat larger figures who may personify Vishnu's club and mace.