The exterior surfaces of early and medieval Odia (Orissan) Hindu temples are replete with amorous and/or erotic imagery. The representations include both the mithuna motif of voluptuous couples as well as the explicit maithuna motif depicting various tantric ritual acts of sexual union. The sensuous sculptures are believed to serve both propitious and apotropaic functions. See also M.76.48.2. See Thomas Donaldson, "Propitious-Apotropaic Eroticism in the Art of Orissa," Artibus Asiae 37:1/2 (1975): 75–100.
In this illustration of an amorous couple, the celestial lovers are facing each other and having sexual intercourse in a standing position (sthitarata). The male is leaning in to kiss his partner, who is embracing him with her right arm. His right hand is cupping her breast. The Kamasutra (2nd–3rd century CE) identifies their specific physical interaction as the "tripod" or "three-legged" position (tripadam) in which one of the female’s legs is lifted off the ground and wrapped around the male’s thigh or waist. This creates the so-named three points of support (the man's two feet and the woman's one foot).
