Durga - Kerala Mural Archive

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P014 — Durga: full panel view

Detail Photos

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P014 — Durga: detail view 1 of 10

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Deity: Durga Location: Chemmanthatta Mahadeva Temple Theme: Devi Mahatmya

Durga striking a warrior pose appears atop a lion; she is green skinned and holding a bow and arrow in two of her eight hands; her right hands hold a chakra, mace, arrow, sword; her left hands hold the shanku or conch, a trident, bow and rope; she wears a lot of ornaments including crown, necklaces, armlets, bangles, rings, anklets and toe rings: she wears a red upper garment and a red lower garment; the image of lion is not realistic but is in the style of lion found in carvings in Kerala temples; Durga's right leg stands atop the lion's back while her left leg appears on top of the lions head; there are two figures to the right and left of Durga; the female warrior to the left of Durga is golden skinned and holds a sword and shield; the warrior standing right of Durga is white skinned and is holding a sword; on top of the panel there are two figures; both female on red skin another golden skin; both holding a sword; she appears to be going for war.

Narrative

Textual Source: Devi Mahatmya
Mythological Tale: Mahishasura the demon did penance for several years inorder to appease Brahma. Pleased with his devotion, Brahma appeared before him and told him to choose a boon. He asked for immortality, which Brahma denied. Instead he asked that he should die only at the hands of a woman, to which Brahma agreed. Believing himself to be immortal, he began tormenting everyone including theDevas. Out of necessity to kill Mahishasura, Goddess Durga was born. She slayed Mahishasura and restored peace upon the world. She is worshipped as the Goddess of bravery, strength and stands as a symbol of the triumph of good over evil.
Episode: Mahishasura mardhini

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Durga
Secondary Figures: Four attendants
Iconographic Form: Durga
Iconographic Attributes: Durga on a lion; green skinned red upper garment yellow lower garment with earrings necklaces bangles rings anklets toe rings and a crown: she has eight arms; her right hands hold chakra maze arrow and sword; her left hands hold conch, trindent bow and rope; her right leg is on the mane of the lion; left leg on the head of lion; to her left a white skinned female figure holding a sword; to her right a yellow skinned female figure holding a sword and shield; both wear green lower garments; on top there are two female figures one red skinned other yellow skinned both holding a sword.
Visual & Formal Features: Facial expression detail, Hand gesture (mudra), Ornamentation
Rasa: Veera

Spatial & Architectural

Zone within Temple: Sanctum
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 14
Adjacent Panels: Kalasamharamurthi, Kiratharjuneeyam 1

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Fair
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_P014
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.