The headless Vishnu with Lakshmi and Garuda was located in front of the Bhuvanesvari Temple in the Pashupati area (PI. 25). As seen in the photograph, the rear right and left hands of Vishnu, which could have held a wheel and mace respectively, were broken and lost, and only parts of the arms were visible. He held a conch in his front left hand, while his front right hand carried a lotus seed, symbolizing his creative aspect, as seen in a number of Vishnu images from the Licchavi period onwards. A sacred thread hung from his left shoulder. His ornaments included armlets of serpent motif and bracelets. He wore a three-fold sash securing his dhori, the ends of which were hanging on either side. A sash was also delineated across his thighs. Both feet of the divinity were mutilated.
Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, stood on his right probably holding a stem of 2 lotus in her right hand. She wore large flat earrings, necklace, armlets and a diaphanous garment. On the left of Vishnu, his mount. Garuda, stood with folded hands. The feet of these two attendants were also mutilated. Previously, this image along with other images, were all lying halfburied in the ground. During the time of renovation. they were fixed with cement plaster for protection; however, in spite of this precaution, the headless Vishnu (PI. 25) was stolen in July, 1986. Altogether, two important Vishnu images were stolen from this site within a span of four months.
Details
- Title : Headless Vishnu
- Year : 14th century A.D
- Medium : Grey limestone
- Dimension : Ht. 14 inches
- Accession No : Stolen in July, 1386
- Country/ Geo-location : Bhuvanesvari Temple, Pashupati
- Collection : Stolen Images of Nepal – Lain S.Bangdel