Stepped shrine from the back wall of a

stepped well at the Bhuvaneśvari temple in

Deopatan, not far from the Pasupatināäth temple,

tentatively dated to the first half of the 18th century.

Century dated. In the upper part

medallion depicts the lion-faced

Kirtimukha can be seen in a medallion, spouting lotus leaves as a

symbol of water. The medallion

is framed by a pair of horned dragons

dragons, their heads pointing towards the center.

The multifaceted frame is full of

lotus motifs. The lower base shows a guardian in the

a guardian in the center, again framed

by a pair of dragons, whose hindquarters

dissolve into lotus coils. Dragons

are aquatic hybrid creatures, lotus also indicates water.

indicates water. It is therefore about

fertility.

Reduced version, 33 cm x 33 cm, 4 kg 2011