With her sickle raised in jubilant triumph, the lithe-limbed Kali rejoices over the supine body of her husband Shiva. Though inert, Shiva continues to beat his hour-glass drum (damaru), from the sound of which is said to have sprung out the entire manifested existence. His body symbolically lies over a heap of mounds, referring to his dwelling place high above in the Himalayas (Mount Kailash).The sculptor seems to have stressed upon the aspect of Kali associated with the cremation grounds. Towards this end, he has even adorned her head with a pair of crossed bones and human skulls. Her short skirt is entirely made up of severed human heads. Nonetheless, being the beautiful female that she is, numerous common ornaments preferred by young women also adorn her body. These include various long and short necklaces as well as armlets, bracelets and earrings.
