This crowned Buddha seated in the lotus posture (padmasana) under an ornate makara torana (mythical crocodile archway) holds the dharma chakra pravartana mudra, the gesture of teaching. The images of the three Buddhas on the panel above depict them in dhyana (meditation), abhaya (fearlessness) and varada hasta (boon bestowing) gestures. Below the lotus seat are devotees with folded hands supporting the teachings of Buddha. Such reliefs form part of an architectural structure like a Buddhist stupa at Bodhgaya (the place where Buddha gained Bodhi or (enlightenment), where they would be placed in niches.
