Flying Gandharva

Description

Panel is abraded thus features are not clear, though this seems like a sculpture fragment depicting Gandharvas. According to Hindu iconography upper half being human with wings attached to the shoulders, their lower half being bird- like are called Gandharvas. They are of hybrid character as emphasised in texts like Manasara. These semi-divine beings served as attendants to the principle deity. Over time, they were represented playing a variety of musical instruments.