Velippalaym, Nagapattinam. Height 10.3cm. About 9th century AD. Acquired as a treasure trove in 1926 AD.

     He is seated in the maharajalila pose on an asana broken and missing. The right hand is in Kataka; the left resting on the base. Jatamakuta with  its frontal decorative design is defaced. The ear lobes are empty but not bored. The hair hanging behind in elegant twisted curls reminding us of the wig. Yajnopavita flat and with knot on the left shoulder suggesting that it was made out of deer-skin. The image is free from ornamentation except for wristlet, ring for the thumb of both the hands, and padasara. The under-garment extends up to the ankles and provided with a belt. It is an image of excellent finish comparable with late Pallava sculpture and indigenous type. Probably Simhanada (Simha part broken and missing) is a form of Avalokitesvara that is represented here, though Lokesvara will be a safer identification when the simha mount is missing. This form which is regarded by the Mahayanists as vouchsafing cure for all diseases is one of the most popular forms of Avalokitesvara. The type is late Pallava.

Tara

      Velippalayam, Nagapattinam. Height with pedestal 10.2 cm; without pedestal 9 cm. About 10th Century AD. Acquired as a treasure trove in 1926 AD.

      She is standing on a circular padmasana with three bends in the body. Right hand is in varada; left is holding the stalk of a blue lotus (utpala) issuing from the padmasana and showing itself (the flower part) over the goddess's shoulder. High conical tiara as in the case of Nepalese images. Patra-Kundalas also as in Nepalese images and unlike any in South Indian images with sacred marital string (tali) or necklace, kuchabandha, two stranded yajnopavita, armlets, wristlets, padasaras and under-garment in wavy and parallel lines and extending up to the feet are seen. The face is defaced. A dot serves as the urna and it will be approriate to call it tilaka.

     Probably Early Chola (1000 AD), with its style influenced by contemporary Nalanda, Kurkihar and Nepalese Tara types.

Votive Stupa

       Nanayakkara Street, Nagapattinam. Total height 20.2 cm. About 10th century AD. Acquired as a treasure trove in 1934 AD.

     The votive stupa is in the shape of a shrine consisting of two parts. The lower part is an octagonal cella supported on four lions and has three niches besides a doorway provided with a revolving door. The three niches show the figures of the Buddha sitting in the "European pose" (pralampada) with legs crossed and the left hand placed on the lap in dhyana. The cella has a circular asana on its top on which is seated the Dhyani Buddha Aksobhya. The upper part is the vimana, which is shaped like a stupa. It has four spikes that go into the lower part by means of holes found on the sides of the Dhyani Buddha. When let down, it covers the Dhyani Buddha and when raised reveals him. It consists of a globular part with four flowers embossed on it and is surmounted by the harmika and the chatra in several tiers. Such a kind of stupa is comparable with specimens from Nalanda. Date Early Chola.

Votive Stupa

     Nanayakkara Street, Nagapattinam. Total height 24.5 cm. Height of cella 10.2 cm. About 12th century AD. Acquired as a treasure trove in 1934 AD.

     Votive stupa is in two parts. Upper part is the usual globe with four wheels embossed on it and surmounted by a harmika and chatra (broken). The Lower part is an octagonal cella with its top open and without Aksobhya. It is supported by four lions and shows a doorway with a revolving door on one side and on three sides the figures of the Buddha seated in the "European pose"  and preaching Dharma in the Deer-Park as indicated by a wheel between two deer, the subject being the First Sermon (Dharma cakrapravartana), Avalokitesvara seated in lalita pose with his right in abhaya and left in kataka poses, and the Buddha seated cross-legged with his right bhumisparsa pose and left in dhyana. This specimen resembles one from Kurkihar. Date is Late Chola.