Shivamohini - Kerala Mural Archive

Detail Photos

Deity: Mohini Deity: Shiva Location: Mattancherry Palace Theme: Bhagavata Purana Visual Feature: Background pattern Visual Feature: Facial expression detail Visual Feature: Hand gesture (mudra)Visual Feature: Ornamentation

This heavily damaged panel consists of two parts. One is Mohini, who is engaged in playing with a ball. Her right hand is holding a white ball and her left hand is holding her saree, which is coming undone. The saree is green in color. She is golden skinned. She has long hair. She is standing on a pedestal. There are several deers who are looking up to her. There is a forest scene depicted behind her with a lot of animals involved. Most of them are engaged in intercourse. Towards the left of the panel, there is a depiction of Shiva, but it is mostly lost. Shiva is supposed to be depicted as looking at Mohini. But the section is completely damaged. There are several winged humans depicted on top of a tree. They are in pairs. Two of them are playing the veena, while two of them are supposed to be playing flute. They might be Gandharvas. There is a parrot, peacock, and a lizard on top of the tree behind Mohini.

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Shiva and Mohini
Secondary Figures: None
Iconographic Form: Shivamohini
Iconographic Attributes: Mohini trying to seduce Shiva; Mohini stands on top of a pedestal; golden-skinned; wearing a green saree; Her breasts are uncovered; Her right arm, she is holding a ball, white ball in her right arm; She is holding her saree from coming undone using her left arm; She wears earrings, necklaces, armlets, bangles, rings, and anklets; She stands to the right of the panel; Behind her is a tree full of animals and gandharvas; There are two sets of winged human-like beings; One set is playing a veena; The other set is playing the flute; There is also a peacock, spider, lizard, a parrot feeding its baby, a pair of sparrows, and another bird sitting on top of the tree; There are a pair of deer looking at Mohini; The left part of the panel is damaged, but Shiva's one arm holding up the deer is visible; A small portion of his face is also visible; There is a snake swallowing a rabbit; There are a lot of trees; There are a lot of animals; Two horns of Nandi can also be seen in the damaged portion.
Rasa: Shringara

Spatial & Architectural

Temple: Palace interior
Zone within Temple: Ladies' chamber
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: Not Applicable
Adjacent Panels: ShivaMohini and Animals sketch

Narrative

Textual Source: Bhagavata Purana
Mythological Tale: Mohini is considered to be an incarnation of Vishnu. As the Devas and asuras were churning the ocean using the mandhara mountain, many treasures came up, including the coveted nectar of immortality, amrith. As a fight ensured between Devas and Asuras as to who should consume the amrith, Vishnu took the form of the beautiful Mohini and actedas the mediator between the two groups. The asuras were mesmerised by her beauty and using that as a distraction, Mohini served all the amrit to the Devas. The demoness Mahishi was granted the boon that a child born from the union of Shiva and Vishnu would be the only one who can kill her. So Vishnu took the form of Mohini and began approaching Shiva while playing around with a ball. Shiva was attracted to Mohini and they consummated their relationshiop, leading to the birth of Shasthav orAyyappan,
Episode: Harihara sangamam
Position within Narrative Sequence: 1 out of two

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Good
Deterioration Type: Plaster loss
Restoration Status: Partially restored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: ASI permission
Date of Documentation: 01/08/2024
Artist: Unknown
Identifier: MCP_P005
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.