Depiction of Foot-wear

Generally paduka in Pallava sculptures is not noticed, except in the case of Bhikshatanamurti form of Siva (fig. 122). In these sculptures He is shown wearing a foot-wear having a raised heel and a flat sole with a post and a knob. The circular knob can be seen held in between the big and second toe. The shape of the foot-wear is similar to the one seen even at present, especially kept in religious institutions like matha or temple, where the religious head used to wear it mostly in conformity with the traditional practice. All these foot wears are made of seasoned wood. So it is possible that even in Pallava period they were made of same material. Again the quality of wood may differ on the basis of the social and economical status of the wearer.