Damodara Leela - Kerala Mural Archive

Kadavil Thrikkovil, KTK_P022 — Krishna: full panel view

Detail Photos

Deity: Krishna Location: Kadavil Thrikkovil Sreekrishna Swamy Temple Theme: Bhagavata Purana Visual Feature: Background pattern Visual Feature: Facial expression detail Visual Feature: Hand gesture (mudra)Visual Feature: Ornamentation

The panel depicts a tale of infant krishnan. There are two sections to this panel: one shows a baby krishnan tied to an ural (traditional mortar) dragging it between twin trees. The second section shows the appearance of two gandharvas (celestial beings) who are yellow-skinned, their hands folded in anjali mudra.

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Krishna
Secondary Figures: two Gandharvas
Iconographic Form: Damodaraleela
Iconographic Attributes: Blue-skinned infant krishnan; decked in jewellery including armlets, necklaces, bangles, anklets,waistband; rings, crown and earrings; a jut of hair in a bun is visible above the crown and is decorated with peacock feathers; hands tied to an ural (mortar) with ropes; white coloured twin trees; Two Gandharvas yellow skinned; folded hands in anjali mudra; green upper garment; bangles, armlets, rings, crown and necklaces.
Rasa: Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

Zone within Temple: Sanctum
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 22
Adjacent Panels: Sage and Ashtabuja Venugopala

Narrative

Textual Source: Bhagavata Purana
Mythological Tale: Yashoda, krishnan’s mother was fed up with krishnan constantly stealing butter. Inorder to teach him a lesson, she tied infant krishnan to the ural or huge traditional mortar found in ancient Kerala homes. krishnan would drag the ural across twin trees,who are actually two gandharvas forced to take up the tree form. As the trees fall, the gandharvas get freed of their curse and takes up their original form. Both gandharvas display their admiration and gratitude to krishnan by folding their hands in anjaii mudra.
Episode: Damodara leela

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_P022
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.