Images of Shiva, such as this one, were popular in North India after the Gupta period. This particular relief is believed to have been independently enshrined in a niche in the outer walls of a temple to Shiva. The main image shows Shiva and his wife Parvati seated on Nandi, Shiva’s bull. Shiva is holding a trident, a lotus flower, and a snake, while Parvati holds a mirror, a symbol of beauty. Their sons Ganesha and Kartikeya sit at their feet on either side of the base. Above the two main figures are smaller carvings of Brahma, Vishnu, and the seven mother goddesses, including Brahmani. One unique detail of this sculpture is the pose of the two main figures, who are gazing intimately into each other’s eyes.