Image title: Yaksha (headless torso)

This stone sculpture shows a headless torso of a Yaksha; datable to the 1st century A.D. It was discovered from Hadigaon, Kathmandu. The folk-cult of Yaksha was popular in Nepal in the early centuries of Christian era. This figure seems magnificent as it is carefully carved with broad massive shoulders, strong fleshy thighs and the diaphanous garment. Some scholars have taken this to be the image of Bodhisattva, while some others consider it as an incomplete figure of Jayavarma himself.

Gallery information:

The National Museum of Nepal (Rashtriya Museum) houses a variety of sculptures, carvings, statues, paintings and other objects grouped according to the major religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. This photo is from the Hindu stone sculpture (prastara-murti-kala) section.