Vishnu - Kerala Mural Archive

Detail Photos

Deity: Vishnu Location: Chemmanthatta Mahadeva Temple Theme: Non-narrative Visual Feature: Facial expression detail Visual Feature: Hand gesture (mudra)Visual Feature: Ornamentation

The faded panel depicts Vishnu sitting atop the seven-hooded serpent Ananthan, flanked by his wives Sreedevi and Bhoodevi on either sides. Vishnu has four arms, each holding the shankhu (conch shell), sudarshana chakram (disc), gada (mace) and lotus flower. He is wearing a yellow lower garment. He is adorned with a lot of jewellery. His one leg is folded on Anantha and other leg is hanging down. Yellow-skinned Sreedevi is seated to the left and green-skinned Bhoodevi appears to the right. Sreedevi is faded away but Bhoodevi is more discernable. She is holding a lotus flower in her discernable hand. Of the seven hoods of Anantha, only six is visible. Above the hood of Anantha, eleven crowns can be seen, suggesting the presence of eleven figures who have faded away completely. Below Ananthan though unclear, is the depiction of Palazhi or the ocean upon which Vishnu is said to reside. It is indicated by swirly patterns.

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Vishnu
Secondary Figures: Ananthan, Bhoodevi, Sreedevi; Eleven unknown figures
Iconographic Form: Vishnu
Iconographic Attributes: Chaturbhuja (four-armed) Vishnu seated on Anantha (Adishesha), the seven-hooded serpent, with his consorts Sreedevi and Bhoodevi flanking him. Holds the four attributes in his hands: shankhu (conch), sudarshana chakram (discus), gada (mace), and a lotus. Wears a yellow lower garment (pitambara) and elaborate jewellery. Seated with one leg folded on Anantha and the other hanging down.
Rasa: Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

Zone within Temple: Sanctum
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 3
Adjacent Panels: Shivathandavam, Mohini

Narrative

Textual Source: Non-narrative
Mythological Tale: Vishnu is said to be one of the three Supreme Gods. He is in charge of sthithi or maintaining equilibrium in the world. He is believed to be residing in the ocean Palazhi where he floats atop the serpent Ananthan. He is said to have two consorts: Sreedevi and Bhoodevi. The panel here, of seated Vishnu is reminiscent of the Poornathrayeesha idol in Thrippunithura, Kochi.
Episode: Non-narrative

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Fair
Deterioration Type: Plaster loss
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: Combined permission
Date of Documentation: 12/08/2024
Artist: Unknown
Identifier: CMT_P003
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.