Mask of Vaikuntha Vishnu, late 5th century. Learn more about 5th century masks
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Also known as Para Vasudeva, it is a manifestation of the Hindu deity Vishnu. The conventional iconography of the form depicts Vishnu seated on the coils of the serpent Sesha, with his left leg folded and his left hand placed on his left knee. Sesha’s hood is shown to be covering his head, in the manner of a parasol. However, in the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh, Vishnu is depicted standing on the serpent, his head shielded by the snake’s hood.