Mahavira

Height 110cm., Breadth 47 cm. Villivakkam, Chennai City, Tamilnadu. Circa 10th Century AD.

The figure of Mahavira, the 24th Thirthankara in the usual Ardha-Paryankasana (the posture used in sitting on the ground normally in South India) on a rectangular base is depicted in this sculpture. Two Yaskshas are carved in low relief one on each side. A portion from elbow to wrist of the left hand is broken and missing. The figure is shown with elongated ear lobes. There is a Bha-Mandala with floral designs. Mukkudai is depicted over the Bha-Mandala . Figures of a lion, the cognisance of Mahavira are carved on the pedestal.

Mahavira is golden in complexion. Matanga and Siddhayini are his Yaksha and Yakshi. The Svetambara sect refers to Sidhhayini as Siddhayika.