Dvarapala
Sign in to save300px|thumb|Sondani, two [[Dvarapalas, circa 525 CE.]] 300px|thumb|right|One of two pairs of dvarapala, 9th century Buddhist temple of Plaosan, [[Java, Indonesia.]]
Article
4 sectionsContents
- Origin and forms
- See also
- References
- External links
300px|thumb|Sondani, two [[Dvarapalas, circa 525 CE.]] 300px|thumb|right|One of two pairs of dvarapala, 9th century Buddhist temple of Plaosan, [[Java, Indonesia.]]
A Dvarapala or Dvarapalaka (Sanskrit, "door guard"; IAST: '' ) is a door or gate guardian often portrayed as a warrior or fearsome giant, usually armed with a weapon - the most common being the gada (mace). The dvarapala statue is a widespread architectural element throughout Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain cultures, as well as in areas influenced by them like Java.