Narayanpur Image of Vinayaka
By Tapo Nath Chakravarti
Summary
This brief report describes a unique image of Vināyaka (Gaṇeśa) discovered at Narayanpur. The sculpture depicts the elephant‑headed deity seated with one leg folded, holding sweets and a broken tusk. Carved in stone, it exhibits stylistic features characteristic of the early medieval period. The author analyses the iconography and notes that while Gaṇeśa is primarily a Hindu deity, he occasionally appears in Buddhist contexts, particularly within Tantric traditions where he is invoked as a remover of obstacles. The article suggests that the Narayanpur image may have been associated with a Buddhist shrine or monastery, reflecting the syncretic environment of the time. Comparisons are drawn with similar figures found at Nalanda and other sites.
Conclusion
By documenting the Narayanpur Gaṇeśa, the author highlights the cross‑cultural exchange between Hindu and Buddhist iconography. The presence of Vināyaka in a Buddhist setting underscores the fluid boundaries of religious practice in early medieval India and invites further study of such syncretic art.