Nirriti, deity of the southwest

The identity of this figure is not certain, but it probably represents Nirriti, the deity of the southwest. Nirriti is said to be frightening in appearance, and the drawn-up hair and entwining snakes of this figure are associated with frightening deities. Also, Nirriti is said to hold a sword and shield, as this figure does, and to have as his mount a donkey, which may what be the big-eared animal at the deity’s feet represents.

Hindu temples often had sculptures of the deities of the four cardinal (north, south, east, and, west) and four intercardinal (northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest) directions positioned on their exterior walls.