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The yakśa-yakśī images of ninth-tenth century have seen the culmination of the fine art of sculpting at Khajuraho. Here the images of guardian deities are generally carved on the exterior of the middle portion, and decorative slab mouldings on projections of temples. These images are manifestations of the loftiest imagination of beauty a sculptor could make.
In Jain art the images of guardian deities have also been as popular as those of Tirthankaras. Therefore, images in stone as well as metal of these deities are found at almost every ancient temple and pilgrimage center. These images can be found carved on the flanks of a Tirthańkara image or as independent idols as well. In the available yaksa images those of Gomeda, Dharanendra and Mātanga are in larger numbers. In the same way Cakreśvarī, Jvālāmālini, Ambikā, and Padmāvati images are found in abundance. Even out of these those of Ambikā and Padmăvati are the most popular. There are many idols of Ambikā where she carries a bunch of mangoes in one hand or a child in her lap and another child held in her hand. Over the head of the goddess there is a dangling bunch of mangoes with an image of Tirthařkara Neminātha in the middle. The Padmāvati images have the goddess sitting in lotus posture. Over her head is a serpent-hood canopy and over the canopy is Tirthařkara Pārsvanātha.
It is not that only independent images of yakśa-yakśī are available, even independent temples of these deities are available. Near Katni, in Vilahari village at the shore of Laksamana Sāgara (a lake) there is an ancient temple of Cakreśvarī. Cakreśvari sits on a Garuda (eagle) and on her head rests the image of the first Tīrthankara Rşabhadeva. Near Satna there is a temple of Patiyānadāi. On a slab are carved images of twenty-four yaksis. In the center sits Ambikā and on her both flanks are images of Tirthankaras and yaksis. This slab is now in the Prayaga Museum. Its size is 6' x 3'. The deity has four arms. On its neck are a necklace and a bead string, arms are embellished with armlets and wrists with snake-bracelets. It has a triple ring hairdo. On the head of the deity rests an image of Bhagavāna Neminātha. In context of its art and grandeur a better image of Ambikā and 23 yaksis is yet to be found. It probably belongs to tenth-eleventh century.
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