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The Two Rare Icons of Parshva Yaksha
-Dr. Balaji Ganorkar* Two images of elephant faced Gods are found in the niches of Shakti Kunda at Akhaj village located at 15 km south-east to Mahesana district headquarter and 4 km northeast to Ambaliasan Railway station on meter gauge line of Western Railway running from Ahmedabad to Delhi.
The first image is studded in a niche located at first landing in south direction of the said Kunda'. Here the four armed elephant faced deity is standing in tribhanga posture. The trunk of this deity is leftwards and in a situation indicating that he is drinking some liquid, which is carried by his front hand in a beautiful bhrungaraka (i.e. vessel). The right front hand is mutilated from the elbow, while the back right hand holds a three hooded sarpa (i.e. cobra) and the left hand carries an ankusu (i.e. goad). The deity is canopied by five hooded cobra. He bears cap type metallic head dress and other usual ornaments. It is noteworthy that both teeth are present here and body is simple and slim. A snake is seated beside the left of the deity.
The same type of image with some variations is found studded in a niche located on the first landing in northern direction". It is also elephant faced and four armed. The canopy of five hooded cobra and a snake beside the left leg as well as the ornaments are common. Standing posture is dvibhanga and the trunk of this deity is making coil on the right side. The back right hand holds three hooded cobra and the left holds a scripture, while the front right and left hands are bearing an ankusha (goad) and a small bhrungaraka (ves
* Associate Director, A.K.G.M., Koba, Gandhinagar 382 009
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