Mahakala Mandala

CHINA, Tibet

This mandala originates from the Ngari region in Tibet. The central figure, Six-Armed Mahakala, has a wrathful appearance and embraces his yellow consort. He stands upon a yellow and a white figure, surrounded by a mandorla and a thin white ring.
Four pairs of Dharma protectors in white, yellow, red, and blue, are arranged in the four cardinal directions around Mahakala. A square representing a palace wall is painted around the Dharma protectors. Within the corners of the square, there are images of sitting Dharma protectors. Surrounding the square, there is a ring depicted with lotuses, the Eight Mahasitavati, vajras, and flames.
At the top of the painting, a row of eminent monks sit in lotus position with their heads turned to one side. More monks and Dharma protectors are shown at the bottom of the picture. These monks are thought to be related to the practice of Six-Armed Mahakala.