Image title: The God Bhimasena

Shiva and Parvati [Roof bracket; 17th century]—Standing under a tree in the typical cross-legged pose of a tree goddess, the deity may be identified as Bhimasena—Bhimsen to Nepalis—by the particular crown he wears. Bhimasena is one of the Pandava brothers in the Mahabharata, a sacred Hindu epic of ancient India. But since about the 16th century Bhimasena is viewed in Nepal as a god of good fortune particularly related to commerce and love. Below the principal image a couple copulate in a rocky setting above which are parrots, symbol of sensuality associated with Kama, the classical Hindu god of love. The purpose of such figures on temple brackets has never been satisfactorily explained but appears to be related to fertility, a subject of supreme importance in an agrarian society.

Gallery information:

The Patan Museum is located on the Durbar square of Patan (Lalitpur/Lalitapura, Kathmandu, Nepal) which is associated Keshav Narayan Chowk (Keshavnarayan)—a form of Lord Vishnu. Being listed as a World Heritage Site, the whole of Durbar square is filled with exquisite temples, sculptures and other ancient structures, of which the ancient history history can be traced to the Malla Kings of Lalitpur. It is an important site for both Buddhism and Hinduism.