The many forms of Vishnu: the Hindu god depicted across 15 centuries of art – in pictures

View image in fullscreenVishnu in the lotus (bronze, East India or Nepal, 1100s)The lotus is a symbol of purity and spiritual growth, and this 12th-century bronze shows Vishnu in the centre, surrounded by petals of his avatars, including Varāha the boar and Narasimha the man-lion. The central figure is holding a pad…

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