| In spite of
large-scale migrations of the local population in winter season with their flocks of
animals to the lower parts of Himachal and their return at the start of summer seasonthe
temples and the deities have not been,fortunately,tampered with so far and there has been
no vanda- lism. The temples are also free from the influence of eroticism. Walnut wood has
largely been used in the temples for doors. The carvings and the very few fresco paintings
have their own beauty but not of a very superior attraction. There is a remarkable Buddhist Chorten at Spilo. Another remarkable feature
is that we do not find the fearsome Dvarpals, or the Yaksha as common as in the temples in
Nepal. The Mithuna images so common in Nepal is absent. We do not also find that galaxy of
high tantricised images (Tara, Manjusri, Hariti, Avalokiteswar or crowned Buddha or Buddha
in different poses) as common as in Nepal. Though so close Tibet does not appear to have
had that big impact on the temples of this area that she has stimulated in Nepal. |
