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Kirtimukha , Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh Source: Dr. Richa Singh Kirtimukha , literally meaning "the face of glory" is a compound word in Sanskrit. Kirti means glory while mukha is face. It is represented as a menacing grinning lion, tiger or demon face with exaggerated traits such as sharp jutting fangs and goggle eyes and often devouring something. This Indian theme is adapted in Indonesian art as the kala-makara motif. It is considered an auspicious motif. The motif is seen in Hindu, Buddhist, Jain traditions and temples and it appears in south Asian and southeast Asian art and architecture. The first known representation of it dates to the third century CE and is found in Buddhist art. This indicates that the Shiva myth occurs later in Puranic literature (an extensive genre of Hindu literature) from the post-Gupta era.  Kirtimukha Motif on the Gopuram of a Hindu Temple, Thailand Source: Dr. Binata Nongmaithem Kirtimukha is traditionally connected to temples and other sa...