A Rare Antique found in Anantapadmanabha Temple

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Udupi : A rare antique piece of lamp with very rare Shaiva and Vaishnavate sculptures is found in the Anantapadmanabha temple at Perduru in Udupi taluk of the Udupi district of Karnataka. It is a rare blend of Shiva and Vishnu and reflects the daily ongoing rituals of both the cults in the temple, says Prof. T. MURUGESHI, a retired associate professor in Ancient History and Archaeology and a founder trustee of Adima Kala Trust (R,), Udupi in his press release here today.

This single piece of lamp has two faces and having narrative sculptures of a puranic story. In the first face Lord shiva shown in dancing pose as Nataraja with four hands. On his left a drummer beating the drum and on his left shown Parvathi seated on bull and Ganapati on his vehicle rat. On the right side of Nataraja the Bringi playing tala and on his right Khadga Ravana seated on half necked women (Mari) standing in Vismayamudre. Khadga Ravana has four hands in his front right hand he holds a Sword and in his right back hand he holds Plough. In his front left hand holds kapala and in back hand which leaning left he holds the head. On his right Kumara is shown seated on peacock. This depiction is very clearly narrates the story of Pralya Tandava (distractive dance) of Lard Shiva. It creates a great fright among three worlds.

On second face of the lamp, from right Brahma is shown holding sacred book in his left hand and right hand in Abhaya mudra. Next is Indra holding vajra in his left hand but right hand is not clear. At the centre Anantpadmanabha standing with four hands and very interestingly he holds Uddarane (a spoon), in his front hands. In his right back hand Shanka (Conch) and left hand missing. On his left Agni holds fire in his right hand and lastly Varuna holding Shanka (conch) in his left hand shown. All five figures are shown in Samabhanga pose and having different head gears. It narrates that the gods out of fear (because of distractive dance of Lord Shiva), went to Vaikunta the abode of Narayana and preyed him to protect the three worlds. The Lord Anantapadmanabha, who was a protector of three worlds make Lord Shiva calm. At the centre of round base of the lamp the Garuda shown in standing pose and at the back Lord Shiva seated in Anjalimudre in calm and peaceful and praying the Lord Anantapadmanabha.

The lamp donated by Basavannaras Banga to the temple in 1456 A.D. and this inscription is in the inner prakara of the temple. With this epigraphical reference it is very clear that the lamp belongs to 15th century.

The Khadga Ravana seated on the shoulders of half nacked Mari is also very interesting. This deity even today is worshiping as a powerful daiva in the outer prakara of the temple.