Somaskanda

Shiva sits upright with his four arms clearly displayed. In his upper right hand, Shiva holds an axe (parasu), whilst his lower right hand is poised in the gesture of abhaya-mudra (bestowing protection). Similarly, his lower left hand is held in the vitarka-mudra,which implies that Shiva is the expounder of subtle knowledge. Separately, from Shiva's upper left hand, an antelope is seen leaping with its head turned towards him. This possibly alludes to Shiva's avatar as Pasupati, the Lord of the Animals.

Shiva's ear-ornaments are distinctive. He wears a circular ear-lobe plug (patra kundala) on the left and a pendant makara kundala on the right, together these emphasise his dual nature.

Parvati sits turned towards Shiva. In her right hand she holds a lotus-bud, while her left hand bestows grace using the varada-mudra.Both figures have a projecting disc (siras cakra) at the back of their heads. This was used for hanging garlands during pujas (worship) and processions.