"Ganges" cleft

Arjuna's Penance, Mamallapuram

In the center of the relief, the life-giving and purifying river Ganges flows down the mountain, surrounded by ascetics, celestials, elephants, and other animals on the banks. Nagas sport in the water, their natural habitat, as celestials fly from every direction towards the Ganges to witness the miracle. The relief abounds with exquisite details, such as the buck with his doe in the lower left corner.

Beneath the elephant's tusk is a cat, performing austerities.