- Salabhanjika
Salabhanjika means literally 'breaking a branch of a sala tree' and refers to the posture of a woman standing near a tree and grasping a branch. [cite web
url =http://www.asiasource.org/reference/display.cfm?wordid=1304
title =salabhanjika
publisher =Asia Society Reference
accessdate = 2007-02-23 ] It refers to a stone sculpture that is placed in front of thegarbhagriha of aHindu temple. [cite web
url=http://www.pallavikrishnan.com/salabhanjika.htm
title=Salabhajika
publisher=pallakrisnan.com
accessdate=2007-02-23 ]The concept stems from ancient symbolism linking a chaste maiden with the sala tree through the ritual called "dohada", or the fertilisation of plants through contact a woman. The symbolism changed over the course of time and the salabhanjika were used as ornamental carvings, placed at an angle for the enjoyment of the worshipers in
circumambulation in the temple. They also were used in architecture as abracket figure. [cite web
url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2008/stories/20030425000206700.htm
title= Hoysala heritage
publisher=Frontline
accessdate=2007-02-23 ]Notes
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