Panel Reliefs

West face, Temple 2, Nalanda
7th century

Above enshrined dancers, the model roof is surmounted with a gavaksha arch flanked by two birds in naturalistic poses: one scratches the underside of its chin with its foot, while the other grasps the tail of a lizard in its beak. The capitals of the side-columns are carved as the faces of nature-spirits, framed by leaves and fruit.