Virupaksa Temple, eastern part of n. wall

Date

Authors

Kramrisch, Stella
Photographer: Arthur Llewellyn Basham

Journal Title

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Volume Title

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Abstract

Description

The central buttress has for its main image the 8-armed figure of Kapila, the author of the Sankhya teaching. In him Vishnu (Pradyumna) was incarnated. The 8 arms hold emblems of Vishnu. The right hands show: The gesture of granting Fearlessness (abhayamudra)
the cakra or Sun-wheel, ploughshare, sword and mace. The main left hand rests on the hip, the others hold conch, bow and noose (?). A gnome-like Devagana on either side. Below the projecting plinth of Kapila stele is a relief panel of Durga, the Great Goddess, slayer of the Buffalo demon, which helps fill the Ghanadvara. Its pilasters are crowned by an arch of intricate carvings. In the middle, on a console, is Uma-Mahesvara (Siva and Parvati). It is flanked by Makaras with gaping jaws, bodies of feathery foam-scrolls and putti-like Yakshas. The pantheon of the central Rath is framed by outer set of pilasters, on the highest plane of projection. Identical pilasters frame the first projection. On recessed part of wall image slab of Vishnu Varaha is surrounded by the plain surface of the large building stones, whereas the following pier sets off the shape of a small shrine against its intermediate projection... -- Images of Kapila and Vishnu Varaha
and a Saiva image.

Keywords

Deccan-- Chalukya Dynasty-- Pattadakal, architecture, stone sculpture, book scan

Citation

Source

Type

Image

Archives Series

Basham Collection

Date created

1954

Access Statement

License Rights

This item is provided for research purposes. Contact the Australian National University Archives at butlin.archives@anu.edu.au for permission to use.

DOI

Restricted until

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