Girijakalyanam sketch - Kerala Mural Archive

Detail Photos

Deity: Vishnu Location: Mattancherry Palace Theme: Local tradition Visual Feature: Facial expression detail Visual Feature: Hand gesture (mudra)Visual Feature: Ornamentation

Shiva's wedding procession. Vishnu, upon Garuda, with Sridevi and Bhoodevi on either sides. He has four arms. Garuda has a beak and feathers. There are Ashwini Devas with head resembling a horse. There is Brahma with two of his three heads visible, sitting atop a swan. He has four arms, two of which are visible.

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Shiva, Parvathi
Secondary Figures: Bhoodevi, Brahma, Garuda, Sreedevi, Vishnu
Iconographic Form: Girijakalyanam
Iconographic Attributes: First half of Shiva's wedding procession. Of the many figures, two are the most identifiable. First is Vishnu, who is sitting atop Garuda, who has a curved beak. Vishnu has both his consorts, Sridevi and Bhoodevi, on either of his sides. Behind him is three-headed Brahma, two of his heads visible. He is riding on top of a swan. There are horse-headed twins, the Ashwini Devas, behind Vishnu, also on the way to the wedding.
Rasa: Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

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

Narrative

Textual Source: Local tradition
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: Girijakalyanam
Position within Narrative Sequence: 3 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_P011
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.