Page 30 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

28  INTRODUCING INDIA

Hindu Mythology
Dvarapala is
The vast pantheon of Hindu gods, goddesses the armed
and their divine exploits is best explored through guardian, who
stands outside
sculpture. The principles of temple architecture were the entrance of a
defined and established under the imperial Guptas temple or by the
(4th–6th centuries AD). Indian temples are adorned door of the inner
by a profusion of sculptures that are not merely sanctum. These
forbidding
decorative but also provide a visual interpretation of figures carry
Hindu mythology. The numerous manifestations of weapons to
deities, such as Shiva, Vishnu and Devi (the goddess protect the deity
also known as Parvati, Durga, Kali) are depicted in from intruders.
great detail. Semi-divine beings, such as devotees,
nymphs and musicians complete the picture.
Karttikeya is mounted on his
peacock vehicle (vahana).
Vedic gods, such as Surya the Sun
God, were manifestations of Indra, the Vedic God of
nature and the elements. They the Heavens, sits on
were absorbed into the Airavata, the four-
trunked white
Hindu pantheon of deities elephant representing
almost 2,000 years ago. the rain cloud.
Female attendant
Lakshmi, the
consort of Vishnu
Garuda, the
vehicle (vahana) of
Vishnu, is half man
and half eagle.
Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth,
appears as Gajalakshmi in this panel
from Mamallapuram (see pp582–3). She
is seen with two elephants (gaja), who
bathe her with their upturned trunks.

Vishnu Anantasayana
This 5th-century panel from
Deogarh (see p237) depicts
Vishnu asleep on the serpent
Ananta, whose hood shelters
him. Brahma rises from behind,
on a lotus, while Shiva sits
Mohini, the female form with Parvati on his vahana,
Vishnu’s dwarf incarnation, Vamana of Vishnu, is described as the bull Nandi. Attendants and
(see p683) transforms himself into a an enchantress, the most celestial beings surround the
giant to measure out the universe in alluring maiden imagin- figure. The mace, discus, shield
three steps. This panel from Badami able. Courtesans and and sword, Vishnu’s attributes,
(see pp540–41) shows him with one nymphs are also carved are personified below to ward
leg raised skywards. as bracket figures. off demons.

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