Vaisravana Devaraja, Niche 5, Beishan Rock Carvings (北山石刻)

This niche is located in Beishan Rock Carvings (北山石刻), Fowan (佛灣), Dazu (大足) District, Chongqing. It depicts eleven figures, including six on the central wall, three on the left side wall and two on the right. The central figure is Vaisravana (Sanskrit: Vaiśravaṇa; Chinese: 毗沙門天) with a wrathful face. The deity wears a warrior costume and a square crown. Its belt is decorated with a beast-faced ornament. The halo on Vaisravana's back is adorned with ox-horn-shaped flame patterns. Since both hands of the deity are destroyed, it is not certain whether they held any objects or formed mudras. There are two half-body yaksha figures under each of Vaisravana's feet, with naked torsos and wearing armlets. Another unknown, crowned figure, visible only from the shoulders up, is depicted between Vaisravana's feet. Two wrathful, muscular guardians flank Vaisravana. Both have halos and hold rod-shaped objects. The figure near Vaisravana on the left side wall wears a laywoman's robe and hairstyle. She holds a bowl containing lotus flowers in her left hand. The figure behind her is a layman holding a plate with both hands. His crown is decorated with a pair of elongated ornaments. The third figure on the left side wall is a dwarf-like and holds a large bowl placed on its left chest. The final figure, next to Vaisravana on the right side wall, looks like a warrior wearing a helmet, and another figure is badly destroyed. Since there is a crack in the rock, these two figures' upper and lower bodies seem mismatched. Although 892 CE is marked as the construction period of this niche on the description plaque, relevant inscriptions are not visible. Descriptions of the photos: Description plaque of the niche [1] Overview of niche and surrounding environment [2] Overview of niche [3] Overview of figures on central wall [4] Overview of figures on left side wall [5] Overview of figures on right side wall [6] Metadata created by: Sau Ling Wendy Yu.Non UBCUnreviewedAuthor Affiliations: Ghent UniversityFacult