This standing Buddha draped in a pleated sanghati (the outer robe) covering both shoulders and draping the whole body is characteristic of Buddha images of the later period from the Nagapattinam area, Tamil Nadu, South India. Here the expression on Buddha’s face is very serene. The most prominent features are the elongated earlobes, the stylised hair and the flame-like ushnisha (bump on the head) also represent the Buddha's iconographic features. The shape of the flame is a mark of Buddha's enlightenment. The abhaya mudra (gesture of protection) and varada mudra (gesture of benevolence) lend to the image the core attributes of Buddha's personality.
