Salaams All ~ SEE picture 2 of project hilt at #1 The Kirtimukha. See also
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirtimukha
Kirtimukha (Sanskrit kīrtimukha, mistakenly also kīrttimukha, a bahuvrihi compound translating to "glorious face") is the name of a swallowing fierce monster face with huge fangs, and gaping mouth, quite common in the iconography of Indian and Southeast Asian temple architecture. In Southeast Asia it is often referred to as Kala and in China it is known as T'ao t'ieh (Monster of Greed). Seen occasionally swallowing other supernatural traditional deities or inanimate objects imbibed with spiritual belief or superstition.
Placed at the rainguard an auspicious position to swallow your enemies. This face is sometimes assimilated to, or confused with, another sculptural element, the lion face (Simhamukha). However, in order to be a Kirtimukha it has to be engaged in swallowing, for the Kirtimukha is the figure of the
"all consuming"
(Seen below in biggest picture and a small golden picture clearly fiercely munching something!)
Taking the
Yali approach It is quite a sleek individual but commonly viewed as a
pair making the Quillons a popular place for their appearance... Known for their superhuman strength; a good choice at the Quillons. Often described as a Leogriff..Half Lion / Half Griffin. (Seen below as a
pair of standing statues.)
Considering the
Makara see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makara_(Hindu_mythology) noting that this creation has a main aim to disgorge onto the area other deities...and so far as I can deduce not on this project hilt...but ...at the top of the knuckleguard is that another Yali...or a Makara...about to splurge its load of oral delivered friends...?
(View below the pictures where the beast is disgorging at second largest picture and smallest...)