This Tibetan bronze mandorla is known as 'parikara' or 'prabha'. Parikara refers to the large mandorla (aureole) which covers the entire body of a divine figure. It is the effulgence or rays of light emitted from their being. This convention applies to all Hindu, Buddhist and Jaina figures. The parikara are cast separately and are usually detachable. Often, new ones are added to old metal statues, including the lotus bases. Here, the makara (mythical sea creature) hovers above Garuda (mythical divine bird) and the floating halo is clearly defined.
