Girijakalyanam sketch - Kerala Mural Archive

Detail Photos

Deity: Shiva Location: Mattancherry Palace Theme: Other Visual Feature: Facial expression detail Visual Feature: Hand gesture (mudra)Visual Feature: Ornamentation

This is the image of Shiva informing the sapta rishis that he wishes to marry Parvati. He asks them to go talk to Himavan, Parvati's father, and inform him of the matter. Shiva is four-armed, sitting on a throne that is ornately carved with lion motifs. His upper right hand holds the axe. His lower right hand is hanging down above his knee. His upper left hand holds the deer. His lower left hand is in the vyakhyana mudra. The female figure in this depiction is Arundhati, Vashistha's wife. She has her head covered by a cloth and is standing with anjali mudra along with all the other saints. Shiva has a serpent around his neck and the crescent moon in his crown. The sages all have the same kind of hair. Their matted locks are raised up in a bun. They wear a string of rudraksha beads on their neck and their hands. They are all mustached and bearded, looking identical.

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Shiva and Parvathi
Secondary Figures: Arundhathi
Iconographic Form: Girijakalyanam
Iconographic Attributes: Four-armed Shiva with a serpent around his neck and the third eye. Upper right hand holds the axe, lower right hand hanging down, upper left hand holds the deer, lower left hand in Vyakhyana mudra. He wears an ornate crown, sits on top of a throne with legs resembling two lions. Wears necklaces, earrings, bangles, armlets, anklets, and rings. There are seven sages, all holding their hands together in Anjali mudra, except for Vashistha in the front. They all have their hair curled up in a bun above their head. They all wear a string of Rudraksha mala in their hands and necks. There is a female figure. She is Arundhati, Vashistha's wife. She is also folding her hands in Anjali mudra. She has a string of Rudraksha mala around her neck and a cloth covering her head.
Rasa: Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

Temple: Palace interior
Zone within Temple: Antechamber
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: Not Applicable
Adjacent Panels: Mohini and Girijakalyanam

Narrative

Textual Source: Other
Mythological Tale: Parvati went on a penance to marry Shiva and Shiva finally agreed to the marriage. Being the daughter of Himavan, she was married off to Shiva in the presence of her parents, sages, Devas and bhootaganas.
Episode: Kumarasambhavam
Position within Narrative Sequence: 1 out of 6

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Not Applicable
Deterioration Type: Other
Restoration Status: Not Applicable
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: ASI permission
Date of Documentation: 01/08/2024
Artist: Unknown
Identifier: MCP_P010
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.