Ganapathipooja - Kerala Mural Archive

Detail Photos

Thalore, THL_P020 — Ganapathi: detail view 1 of 7

Thalore, THL_P020 — Ganapathi: detail view 2 of 7

Thalore, THL_P020 — Ganapathi: detail view 3 of 7

Thalore, THL_P020 — Ganapathi: detail view 4 of 7

Thalore, THL_P020 — Ganapathi: detail view 5 of 7

Thalore, THL_P020 — Ganapathi: detail view 6 of 7

Thalore, THL_P020 — Ganapathi: detail view 7 of 7

Living Tradition · The Present Day

Deity: Ganapathi Location: Thalore Mahadeva Temple Theme: Local tradition

Ganapathi shown elephant headed, multi armed, seated with one leg raised and one lowered, a large ornamented circular disc behind the head serving as a halo. Trunk curved toward a sweet or offering held near the lower hand, another hand raised beside the head. Reddish orange complexion, tall crown, heavy necklaces and armlets, patterned green lower garment. Mouse vehicle (Mushika) seated at the lower left near baskets of grain. Surrounding sages bearded, several green skinned, hands folded in anjali mudra, one holding a veena.

Narrative

Textual Source: Local tradition
Mythological Tale: Rather than illustrating a single narrative episode, this panel depicts the communal ritual worship of Ganapathi, remover of obstacles and the deity invoked before any undertaking. The scene centers on devotees bringing offerings of rice, fruit, and sweets, reflecting local temple practice rather than a Puranic story. Ganapathi's mouse, Mushika, appears at his side as his vehicle, and the assembly of sages above situates the worship within a wider sacred gathering, echoing the same witnessing assembly seen in the temple's other panels.
Episode: Ganapathi Pooja

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Ganapathi
Secondary Figures: Local men and women
Iconographic Form: Ganapathi pooja
Iconographic Attributes: Ganapathi is shown seated in a relaxed pose on an ornamented pedestal, elephant headed, with a large circular decorative disc forming a halo behind his head. He wears a tall crown and heavy jewelry, with a patterned green lower garment. Multiple arms are visible, one raised near the head, another lower hand and the curling trunk both reaching toward what appears to be a sweet or offering. His mouse mount sits below at the lower left, near baskets of rice. Behind and above him, a group of bearded sages, some green skinned, stand and sit with hands folded in anjali mudra, one playing a stringed instrument (veena). Below the central figure, a large crowd of devotees brings offerings, men and women carrying baskets of rice, fruit, and sweets on their heads and shoulders, one man bearing a bundle slung from a pole across his shoulder, with elderly figures and children seated among mounds of grain and pots of offerings arranged across the lower register of the panel.
Visual & Formal Features: Border pattern, Facial expression detail, Hand gesture (mudra), Ornamentation
Rasa: Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

Temple: Sanctum
Zone within Temple: Sanctum
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 18
Adjacent Panels: Dakshinamoorthy, Aghoramoorthi

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Excellent
Deterioration Type: None observed
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: Temple authorities
Date of Documentation: 22/08/2024
Artist: Senthil
Identifier: THL_P018
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.