Yama carved into the ceiling of the mukhamantapa
This intricately-carved bas-relief is on the ceiling of mukhamantapa of Cave 3, the third of the four rock-cut caves of Badami in Karnataka, India.
As seen in the image, there are two concentric circular frames, and enclosing them is a square frame. Within the inner circular frame, there is a beautifully carved relief of Yama, the god of justice and death, seated on a male buffalo. Separating the circular frames are the carvings of lotus flowers and buds.
Between the outer and inner circular frames, there are four smaller circular frames, each with a relief inside.
In Hindu mythology, Yama is one of the dikpalas (guardians of the directions) and is responsible for guarding South, which makes him the lord of the south. Check the Ashta Dikpalas page for a list and descriptions of all the eight dikpalas.
Read more about the bas-reliefs depicting Yama’s court and punishing sinners in the narakas in the Angkor Wat Bas-Reliefs page.
Explore More About Badami Caves
– Badami
– Cave Temples of Badami
– Badami Cave 1, Badami Cave 2, Badami Cave 3, Badami Cave 4
Explore Elephanta Caves
– Cave Temples of Elephanta
– Elephanta Main Cave (Cave 1), Elephanta Main Cave Ground Plan
– The Mystery of Elephanta Cave 2
– The Smaller Caves of Elephanta: Caves 2, 3, 4, and 5
– How to Reach Elephanta Caves
Other Related Pages from YatrikaOne
– Somanathapura Keshava Temple – A magnificent temple Dedicated to Vishnu
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – A masterpiece of Hoysala temple art
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Bracket Figures
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Garbhagriha exterior wall
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Kappe Chennigaraya Shrine
– Angkor Wat – A grandiose temple complex originally dedicated to Vishnu
– Angkor Wat, Angkor Wat Bas-Reliefs, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei
– Phnom Kulen, Tonle’ Sap, Cambodia
– Bali, Prambanan, Prambanan Bas-reliefs, Borobudur, Indonesia
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