A Nymph

A Nymph

Hoysala Dynasty,13th Century AD

        Belur, a famous Hoysala temple, has numerous nymphs who are either dancing, doing make up or even hunting. These sculptures depict the myriad moods of women. Here we see a young woman standing under a tree holding one of its branches. The image of a woman holding a tree branch is ancient one in India going back to the Sanchi stupa of 2nd century BC.  Such a woman or "yakshini " was called "Salibhanjika" as she would hold a branch of the Sal tree. These Yakshini symbolised the mother goddesses who in turn stood for Nature, its  regenerative and creative powers. The feminine divine is a strong element in Hinduism. It points to the ancient ancestry of the religion.