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Shizhongshan Grottoes Niche 15: Vaisravana
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Shizhongshan Grottoes Niche 15: Vaisravana
CHINA, Yunnan, Dali; Nanzhao to Dali period (752–1253); Stone; H: 2.44 m
Located in the Sand Valley area, this niche, measuring 1.52 m wide, 2.83 m high, and 0.15 m deep, houses a low relief of Vaisravana. A stole weaves its way around Vaisravana’s body, and behind his head is a nimbus with flame patterns around its edges. Holding a trident in his right hand, and supporting a pagoda in his left, Vaisravana steps on two yaksas, Nilavajra and Vilamba.
Vaisravana appears often in cave, grotto, and cliff carvings in Yunnan and is closely associated with the deity worship traditions practiced in the Nanzhao (752-902) and Dali (937-1253) Kingdoms. |
