Wednesday, 23 August 2017

Mahishasura Mardini Cave in Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram contains 14 cave temples and a few of these remarkable structures contain critical works of ancient art. One of them - Mahishasura Mardini Cave - contains a few delightful reliefs well showing the aesthetic capacities of stone carvers in Pallava times. 

Temple is not completed and does not contain any engravings. It is situated at the base of diorite hillock, with another old structure - Olakneswara Temple over this slope. 

Front piece of the cave temple is enhanced with four segments and two pilasters, floor and roof are not finished. Sections have diverse outline - the two focal segments are unique. In all likelihood this is clarified by the endeavor of Vaisnavites to expel them. One was truly expelled and was as of late supplanted by low quality imitation.

Both wonderful etched boards are put at inverse side dividers of holy place. One alleviation delineates eight-outfitted Goddess Durga overcoming the evil presence lord Mahishasura - it is conceivable that the sanctuary got its name from this devil. Goddess is joined by eight ganas, Mahishasura with his armed force of seven evil spirits is withdrawing.

Another board portrays Anantasayana - e.g. Vishnu leaning back on wind like lord of nagas - Ananta Shesha. This serpent has thousand heads - alleviation demonstrates five. Underneath Vishnu there is Bhu-devi, Mother Earth. Over the God and beneath him there are indicated four flying ayudh-purushas - divine weapons of Vishnu. This board is thought to be one of the most elevated accomplishment in Indian old craftsmanship.


Rear wall contains three places of worship. Focal altar is bigger and is enhanced with a patio. Patio thusly has a couple of excellent columns with horned lions - vyalas - at the base. All temples are emblematically duarded by dvarapalas. Side altars are not embellished but rather the focal place of worship is decorated with huge Somaskanda board demonstrating Shiva himself, his associate, Uma, divine kid Skanda and Nandi at their feet and different divine beings out of sight.

Decision of two inconsequential religious intentions on sidewalls is not clear today. It is additionally not totally clear why there were created two places of worship for Shiva and one for Vishnu

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