Dwarapalakan - Kerala Mural Archive

Kadavil Thrikkovil, KTK_P041 — Dwarapalakan: full panel view

Detail Photos

Kadavil Thrikkovil, KTK_P041 — Dwarapalakan: detail view

Deity: Guardian Figures Location: Kadavil Thrikkovil Sreekrishna Swamy Temple Theme: Non-narrative

Image of a Dwarapalaka. He is standing with one arm raised up and the other arm held down. He has huge claws, fangs, bulging eyes. One leg planted on the floor, the other leg raised up. The image is highly faded.

Narrative

Textual Source: Non-narrative
Mythological Tale: Found at the right side of entrance to Ganapathi’s nada (shrine), dwarapalaka is meant as the protective guardians of gates, doors or entrances. They are depicted as strong and fierce with fangs, claws and weapons like the mace.
Episode: Non-narrative

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Dwarapalakan
Iconographic Form: Guardian deity
Iconographic Attributes: Green-skinned figure with bulging eyes, open mouth, fangs, claws, wearing a reddish upper garment and a dhoti of unknown color, right leg raised, left leg planted on the ground, right arm raised up near the face, left arm brought to the right side of the body. Heavily faded image.
Visual & Formal Features: Hand gesture (mudra), Ornamentation
Rasa: Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

Zone within Temple: Sanctum
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 41
Adjacent Panels: Shiva

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Poor
Deterioration Type: Pigment loss
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: Temple priest
Date of Documentation: 15/07/2024
Artist: Unknown
Identifier: KTK_P041
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.