Salabhanjika

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Salabhanjika bracket
Salabhanjika bracket

Salabhanjika means literally 'breaking a branch of a sala tree' and refers to the posture of a woman standing near a tree and grasping a branch.[1] It refers to a stone sculpture that is placed in front of the garbhagriha of a Hindu temple.[2]

The concept stems from ancient symbolism linking a chaste maiden with the sala tree through the ritual called dohada, or the fertilisation of plants through contact a woman. The symbolism changed over the course of time and the salabhanjika were used as ornamental carvings, placed at an angle for the enjoyment of the worshipers in circumambulation in the temple. They also were used in architecture as a bracket figure.[3]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ salabhanjika. Asia Society Reference. Retrieved on 2007-02-23.
  2. ^ Salabhajika. pallakrisnan.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-23.
  3. ^ Hoysala heritage. Frontline. Retrieved on 2007-02-23.
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