One thing that often goes unnoticed in many traditional Hindu temples, is that the walls of the shrine is made of a circle of women. Some of these are musicians, some dancers, some undressing, some adorning themselves for lovers, some clinging to trees, some being teased by monkeys, some are warriors, some mothers, some entertainers. Hundreds of these women are found facing the world outside, creating a circle within which the deity is enshrined. Who are these women?

Illustration/Devdutt Pattanaik