What story might the sculpture in Mahabalipuram depict, according to some art historians?

The descent of the river Ganga from heaven

Some experts propose that this scene depicts the descent of the celestial river Ganga from heaven. The natural cleft at the center of the rock's surface is potentially indicative of the river itself. This story is recounted in both the Puranas and the epics. Conversely, others contend that the sculpture captures a tale from the Mahabharata – the moment when Arjuna, the warrior prince, engages in penance on the riverbank to attain divine weapons. They highlight the central figure of an ascetic in support of this interpretation. This ambiguity serves as a reminder that decoding the meaning of historical art often involves navigating through a maze of divergent perspectives and interpretations.