Annapoorneswari - Kerala Mural Archive

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P028 — Parvathi: full panel view

Detail Photos

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P028 — Parvathi: detail view 1 of 4

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P028 — Parvathi: detail view 2 of 4

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P028 — Parvathi: detail view 3 of 4

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P028 — Parvathi: detail view 4 of 4

Deity: Parvathi Location: Chemmanthatta Mahadeva Temple Theme: Non-narrative

The Goddess Parvathi is depicted in her Annapoorneswari form, with a ladle in her right hand and a bowl of rice/porridge in her left. She is golden-skinned, wearing yellow dhoti (lower garment) which has red and green clothes over it. Her breast-cloth is green-coloured. She is decked with jewellery including armlets, earrings, crown, necklaces bangles and anklets. There are branches of tree or climbers. The panel is damaged at the bottom and heavily faded.

Narrative

Textual Source: Non-narrative
Mythological Tale: Annapoorneswari is the form of Parvathi as the provider of food. She is commonly depicted with a ladle in one hand and a bowl of food (rice/porridge) on the other. One day Shiva argued that material possessions like food are unnecessary for life. Parvathi disagreed and to prove her point, disappeared from Kailasa, Shiva’s abode. All beings including Shiva and his bhoothaganas (army/group of Shiva’s attendants) went hungry and set out in search of food. They realized that the whole world is affected by famine because of her disappearance. Eventually Shiva discovered her in Kashi, taking up the Annapoorneswari form and providing food to all who approached her.
Episode: Non-narrative

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Parvathi
Secondary Figures: None
Iconographic Form: Annapoorneswari (Parvathi’s form as the provider of food)
Iconographic Attributes: Golden-skinned standing upright Goddess Parvathi; holds ladle in her right hand; bowl of rice/porridge in her left hand; golden lower garments over which red and green clothes are tied; green-breast-cloth; ornate crown; armlets; anklets; bangles; necklaces; earrings; long hair decked with flower garlands; tree-like motifs in the background.
Visual & Formal Features: Facial expression detail, Hand gesture (mudra), Ornamentation
Rasa: Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

Zone within Temple: Sanctum
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 28
Adjacent Panels: Sreekrishnaleela 3

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Poor
Deterioration Type: Plaster loss
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: Combined permission
Date of Documentation: 05/08/2024
Artist: Unknown
Identifier: CMT_P028
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.