c. 1700

Harihara Seated

The figure of Harihara is composed of Vishnu (Hari) on the left and Shiva (Hara) on the right. They are joined as a single being and represent not only the union of the two deities, but also of Vaishnavism and Shaivism, the two major branches of Hinduism. Blue-skinned Vishnu wears a fine red garment, while the ash-covered ascetic Shiva sits on a tiger skin. Vishnu’s garland of flowers transforms into Shiva’s gar­land of skulls as it passes through the center of the figure. Their crossed legs bridge the space, as does a gilt crown from which Shiva’s matted hair protrudes on one side.