Site Name: Sarnath
Date: 500-699 CE
Subject: Buddha in earth touching gesture or bhumisparsha mudra, detail of the upper portion. Around the head, carved in relief on the black slab is a circular halo which is decorated with two circular bands of rosettes and beads respectively. Over this halo, the foliage of the bodhi tree was shown which is now only visible on the top of the stone. The flying figures on both sides of the halo are celestials who shower down flowers on the Buddha after he conquers demon Mara.