Himalayan Art Resources

Subject: Caves (Deities & Figures)

Caves (Deities & Figures) | Deities & Stupas | Function & Relationship Glossary

Subjects, Topics & Types:
- Cave Imagery Description (below)
- Deities & Caves (below)
- Figures & Caves (below)
- Meditational Caves
- Terma Related Caves
- Masterworks
- Confusions
- Others...

Deities:
- Kurukulla
- Maharakta Ganapati
- Dorje Drolo (Padmasambhava)
- Others...

Figures:
- Sage of Long-life
- Arhat Ajita
- Milarepa
- Others...

There are a number of deities and figures depicted either inside of, or in front of, a mountain cave. For the deities the cave has a special relationship based on the ritual literature. For the other figures the cave scenario relates to a narrative or historical event in the life story or the hagiography of that individual.

Jeff Watt 6-2014 [updated 3-2019]

(The images below are only a selection of examples chosen from the links above).