Ardhanarishvara, androgynous form of Shiva and Parvati
11th century
Phyllite
H. 32 x W. 7 in. (81.3 x 17.8 cm)
Kapoor Galleries, Inc.

Although the worship of Hindu gods like Vishnu and Devi was widespread in ancient Kashmir, the Hindu deity Shiva may have been the most popular. This androgynous form of Shiva called Ardhanarishvara, in which the right side of the body is male and the left side is female, is prominent in the Kashmiri worship of Shiva, or Shaivism. It demonstrates the dual male/female nature that, according to Shaivism, is the essence of every living thing. The name of this manifestation literally means, “The Lord who is half woman;” it depicts Vishnu along with his consort Parvati.