Linga Altar with Four Faces of Shiva, Thakuri period, dated 1045, Nepal (Kathmandu Valley), Copper alloy, H. 5 1/2 in. (14 cm); L. 7 in. (17.8 cm); Diam. of base 5 in. (6.8 cm); Wt. 15 lbs (6.8 kg), Metalwork, Shiva linga are variously represented as an unadorned pillar or with one, four, or five heads of Shiva. This linga altar has a four-faced form (chaturmukha). It is banded, likely with munja grass holy to Shiva, alluding to the taming of Shiva’s phallic energies through his supreme asceticism achieved by yogic practices (tapas)
Keywords:
Linga Altar, Four Faces, Shiva, Thakuri period, dated 1045, Nepal, Kathmandu Valley, Copper alloy, H, 5 1/2, 14 cm, L, 7, 17.8, Diam, base 5, 6.8, Wt, 15 lbs, kg, Metalwork, Shiva linga, variously represented, unadorned pillar, four, five heads, linga altar, four-faced form, chaturmukha, banded, munja grass, holy, alluding, taming, phallic, energies, supreme asceticism, achieved, yogic practices, tapas
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