Kaliyamardhanam - Kerala Mural Archive

Kadavil Thrikkovil, KTK_P025 — Krishna: full panel view

Detail Photos

Deity: Krishna Location: Kadavil Thrikkovil Sreekrishna Swamy Temple Theme: Bhagavata Purana

This panel depicts Krishna slaying Kaliya, the snake. The snake has three visible hoods and a long tail. Krishna is standing on top of one of Kaliya's hoods, holding his tail in one arm, defeating the serpent. Above, there are three green-skinned figures and a huge yellow-skinned figure, but the panel is damaged to make out who the characters aare. They may be perhaps Gopass.

Narrative

Textual Source: Bhagavata Purana
Mythological Tale: Kaliya the snake polluted the waters of Yamuna with its poisonous venom. Krishna decided to bring an end to this, and he jumped into the Yamuna river. Kaliya began devouring Krishna, but Krishna escaped and jumped on top of Kaliya's hood and started dancing. He stepped on each of Kaliya's hoods, causing the snake to vomit blood and release its poison. In the end Kaliya was defeated, and Krishna emerged victorious.
Episode: Kaliyamardhanam

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Krishna
Secondary Figures: Kaliyan
Iconographic Form: krishna (Vishnu's incarnation)
Iconographic Attributes: Green skinned Krishna with yellow lower garment, with a crown on his head topped with peacock feathers, standing on top of Kaliya the serpent. His left hand is holding the tail of the snake. His right hand is raised up in Abhayamudra. He is standing on top of the hood of Kaliya. There is Yamuna depicted at the bottom with swirly patterns. There are several gopas standing nearby witnessing the scene.
Visual & Formal Features: Facial expression detail, Hand gesture (mudra), Ornamentation
Rasa: Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

Zone within Temple: Sanctum
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 25
Adjacent Panels: Green Sage and Vatapatrashayi

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Fair
Deterioration Type: Pigment loss
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: Temple priest
Date of Documentation: 10/05/2025
Artist: Unknown
Identifier: KTK_P025
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.