Collections-Virtual Museum of Images and Sounds

Site Name: Roda

Date: 750-775 CE

Subject: General view of the Shiva Temple (Temple I) and Temple II

Site Name: Keesaragutta

Date: 301-400 CE

Subject: Lajja Gauri with other figures (bull, devotee, lion): This figure of Lajja Gauri was found in the excavation of a Shiva temple at Keesaragutta, Telangana. It was found buried under the base of the altar and an earthen pot bearing six female figures and a human skeleton were found buried nearby. Probably this stone plaque was a ritual item, buried to consecrate the land for sacred use as according to Vedic rituals. In this plaque the goddess holds a linga (right) and a lion face (left), while below, a bull (right) faces the linga and a kneeling devotee (left) faces the goddess with a bowl of food as an offering.

Site Name: Ellora

Date: 501-600 CE

Subject: Nandi mandapa showing Lajja Gauri in the courtyard before the Hindu rock-cut temple 21, known as Ramesvara, at Ellora. This is a monolithic platform and on the southwestern face of the solid platform, is carved an anthropomorphic Lajja Gauri. Lajja Gauri in the center of the panel is damaged. The two flanking female attendants who bear fly whisks are carved into the rock between relief pilasters. The goddess's head is haloed, her arms are held up, but are damaged, her hair is tied up in a large bun and she wears a jeweled headband, lotus earrings, necklace, girdle, and anklets. Since the bull on the Nandi mandapa platform faces the Sivalinga of rock-cut temple 21, the goddess is clearly associated with Shiva and Nandi.

Site Name: Ellora

Date: 501-600 CE

Subject:

Nandi mandapa showing Lajja Gauri in the courtyard before the Hindu rock-cut temple 21, known as Ramesvara, at Ellora. This is a monolithic platform and on the southwestern face of the solid platform, is carved an anthropomorphic Lajja Gauri. Lajja Gauri in the center of the panel is damaged. The two flanking female attendants who bear fly whisks are carved into the rock between relief pilasters. The goddess's head is haloed, her arms are held up, but are damaged, her hair is tied up in a large bun and she wears a jeweled headband, lotus earrings, necklace, girdle, and anklets. Since the bull on the Nandi mandapa platform faces the Sivalinga of rock-cut temple 21, the goddess is clearly associated with Shiva and Nandi.

Site Name: Kudavelli

Date: Late 601-700 CE

Subject:

Lajja Gauri: This image of Lajja Gauri from a Chalukya-period Shiva temple is lotus headed with a human female body. The body is carved of a piece with the altar upon which it lies supine and there is an ablution drain/nala by the left knee. The lotus head has large petals. She holds a lotus bud in each hand and seems to proffer them onto her lotus head. The legs are in uttanapad (birth giving) pose.

Site Name: Hisar

Date: 1300-1999 CE

Subject: (In Mela kothi area) Overview of the Shiva Avatar Bhagwan Danasher Mandir complex

Site Name: Hisar

Date: 1900-1900 CE

Subject: (In Mela kothi area) Overview of the modern gateway to Shiva Avatar Bhagwan Danasher Mandir

Site Name: Chittor

Date: 1000-1099 CE

Subject: Female dancing on AF / Shiva Nataraja

Site Name: Tiruppurambiyam

Date: 1000-1099 CE

Subject: Arivattanayanar, standing. Arivattanayanar was the twelfth Nayanar from the group of 63 Shaivite saints who are venerated as great devotees of Shiva. He and his wife routinely offered food to Shiva even during drought. Once he tried to cut his throat with an arrival (sickle) when he was unable to make an offering to Shiva.

Site Name: Thanjavur

Date: 900-925 CE

Subject: Ardhanarishvara, detail: The composite figure of Shiva where he is depicted as half male and half female to indicate the shiva-shakti relationship of the unified whole. The right half represents Shiva while the left half represents Parvati. Shiva has the matted locks piled high on his head and leans on his mount, the bull. Parvati's side has a jeweled crown, earring, full breast, broad hips, long skirt, and only one arm.

Site Name: Jambavanodai

Date: 976-999 CE

Subject: Ganesha is perhaps the most endearing and gentle of gods. He is the elder son of Shiva and Uma Parvati. Ganesha is famed for warding off obstacles and is thus the propitious god of new beginnings. He is also addressed as Ganpati-leader (pati) of Shiva’s dwarf like gana attendants. Here, his upper left hand holds a lasso; the upper right, a battle-ax; the lower left, a sweet; and the lower right, one of his own tusks, which he broke off in a fit of anger and hurled at the moon.

Site Name: Jambavanodai

Date: 1100-1299 CE

Subject: Appar: Appar was one of the most famous Saivite saint and hymnologist said to have lived in the eighth century. He was an elder contemporary of Sambandar, and his title of revered father (Appar) was given to him by the child-saint. Appar converted from Jainism to Saiva worship. Visiting all the then existing Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu, Appar sang the glories of Shiva in delightful verses, these hymns constitute the fourth, fifth and sixth books of the sacred writings of Saivas. He, along with Jnanasambandar spearheaded the Bhakti movement that changed the nature of religious life not only in Tamil Nadu but the entire country giving impetus to construction of temples. To testify his devotion to Shiva, he went about weeding the courtyard of temples. He is usually represented with his weeding implement resting on his right arm. He wears his prayer beads (rudraskhas) and is clad in the meager loincloth (koupina) of the ascetic.

Site Name: Roluos

Date: 881 CE

Subject: View from north across moat; Built by Indravarman I and dedicated to Shiva as Indreshvara (Lord Indra). Original tower replaced in 12th century.

Site Name: Roluos

Date: 881 CE

Subject: View from East Access Causeway; Built by Indravarman I and dedicated to Shiva as Indreshvara (Lord Indra). Original tower replaced in 12th century.

Site Name: Roluos

Date: 881 CE

Subject: View from Eastern pavilion; Built by Indravarman I and dedicated to Shiva as Indreshvara (Lord Indra). Original tower replaced in 12th century.

Site Name: Roluos

Date: 881 CE

Subject: View from Inner Pavilion; Built by Indravarman I and dedicated to Shiva as Indreshvara (Lord Indra). Original tower replaced in 12th century.

Site Name: Roluos

Date: 881 CE

Subject: From Southwest; Built by Indravarman I and dedicated to Shiva as Indreshvara (Lord Indra). Original tower replaced in 12th century.

Site Name: Roluos

Date: 881 CE

Subject: From Southeast; Built by Indravarman I and dedicated to Shiva as Indreshvara (Lord Indra). Original tower replaced in 12th century.

Site Name: Roluos

Date: 881 CE

Subject: West Facade with false door; Built by Indravarman I and dedicated to Shiva as Indreshvara (Lord Indra). Original tower replaced in 12th century.

Site Name: Roluos

Date: 881 CE

Subject: West Facade: False door; Built by Indravarman I and dedicated to Shiva as Indreshvara (Lord Indra). Original tower replaced in 12th century.

Site Name: Roluos

Date: 881 CE

Subject: West Facade: Lintel and cornice with praying figures ; Built by Indravarman I and dedicated to Shiva as Indreshvara (Lord Indra). Original tower replaced in 12th century.