Golden Dwarapalakan - Kerala Mural Archive

Detail Photos

Deity: Guardian Figures Location: Peruvanam Mahadeva Temple Theme: Non-narrative Visual Feature: Background pattern Visual Feature: Facial expression detail Visual Feature: Hand gesture (mudra)Visual Feature: Ornamentation

A golden-skinned dwarapalaka (or “guardian of the entrance”) is depicted with a sepent-shaped headband, jutted hair, fangs, upper teeth and three bulging eyes. He has serpents coiled around his neck and waist. He wears a green dhoti (lower garment) and has bangles and anklets. His right leg is coiled around a gada or mace while his left leg is planted to the ground. He has long sharp fingernails.

Iconography

Iconographic Form: Dwarapalakan
Iconographic Attributes: Golden-skinned; three bulging eyes; fangs; upper teeth; matted jutting hair; serpent-like headgear; long sharp claws; snakes around neck and waist; green dhoti (lower garment); mace;anklets; bangles; left hand raised up; right hand holding a mace.
Rasa: Raudra

Spatial & Architectural

Zone within Temple: Sanctum
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 10
Adjacent Panels: Green Dwarapalakan, Ganesha

Narrative

Textual Source: Non-narrative
Mythological Tale: Found at the right side of entrance to Ganapathi’s nada (shrine), dwarapalaka is meant as the protective guardians of gates, doors or entrances. They are depicted as strong and fierce with fangs, claws and weapons like the mace.
Episode: Non-narrative

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Fair
Deterioration Type: Pigment loss
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: Combined permission
Date of Documentation: 03/08/2024
Artist: Unknown
Identifier: PVM_P011
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.