Kalinjar 1
@ Kalinjar fort in the middle of Madhya Pradesh, the rock cut figure of the 18 armed Kal Bhairav, one of the many incarnations of Shiva. Its over 1000 years old and stands over 26 feet high cut into the sheer cliff. Carvings like this are called "living" because they coexist with natural forces, in this case, part of the giant rock hillside. (we went there in 2004)
The figure wields a sword in one of its hands held overhead. Dark water that seeps from the cliff itself flows across the blade like blood and collects in a pool at the figures feet. There is a sacred spring cut into the cliff above the temple complex and it seeps down to the statue, where the figure dances within a pool of the water. Wild bees are attracted, and in the 100s they hover and swarm over the wet blade and land on it. What mysitcal design or human effort caused these things to come together like this, is beyond my grasp. Its been like this for over 1000 years.
We were there all day, and only a hand full of sadhus and locals came and went.
The figure wields a sword in one of its hands held overhead. Dark water that seeps from the cliff itself flows across the blade like blood and collects in a pool at the figures feet. There is a sacred spring cut into the cliff above the temple complex and it seeps down to the statue, where the figure dances within a pool of the water. Wild bees are attracted, and in the 100s they hover and swarm over the wet blade and land on it. What mysitcal design or human effort caused these things to come together like this, is beyond my grasp. Its been like this for over 1000 years.
We were there all day, and only a hand full of sadhus and locals came and went.