Vishnu

Dharmaraja Ratha, Mamallapuram

This is evidently a sculpture of Vishnu, with attributes of club and chakra, although the Penguin Guide (p. 456) identifies it as Shiva. It decorates the east corner of the south wall. The elongated Pallava sculptural style, with its pipestem legs and attenuated form, is evident. In this style, straight legs were characteristic of the gods. There is an inscription above the sculpture.