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Shizhongshan Grottoes Niche 6: Mahakala
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Shizhongshan Grottoes Niche 6: Mahakala
CHINA, Yunnan, Dali; Nanzhao to Dali period (752–1253); Stone; H: 1.8 m
Mahakala is located on the left end of Niche 6. His four arms are mostly destroyed, but a chain of skulls hangs from his left shoulder. The remaining hand holds an alms bowl made of a skull in front of his chest. His lower garment is adorned with an image of a beast’s head with fangs showing.
Among the Bai ethnic group, Mahakala enjoyed a majestic status and was highly regarded for deliverance from calamities and for protection. He became one of the most important protective figures for Buddhists in the Nanzhao (752-902) and Dali (937-1253) kingdoms. |
