The sculpture likely welcomed worshippers at a temple entrance.

Evidence

Our sculpture would probably have been at the door of a temple, welcoming families as they approached, and offerings would have been made not just to Shiva but also to Parvati, to the pair of them as a divine couple. — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 1062

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 1062
• XREF: connects to: Hindu worship involves using temple statues in prayer — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 1028