Description

This early medieval Mukhalinga sculpture made of white-spotted red sandstone depicts a face (mukha) on the aniconic representation of Shiva (lingam). The Agama and Tantra texts describe the symbolism of the Mukhalinga to be varying in nature and form- they can exist independently, or as sheaths on top of the stone linga, as a material non-material representation of the deity (sakala niskala). This one is an eka-mukhalinga, depicting Shiva with his hair in a bun overflowing down his head, wearing earrings. The facial features emerge from the ear forward. While minor chipping is visible and the nose is missing, the remainder of the deity's smiling face is largely preserved. Above his head, traces of a carved jata mukuta (headdress made of matted locks of hair) are present.