Kaliyamardhanam - Kerala Mural Archive

Alangad, ASG_P039 — Krishna: detail view

Detail Photos

Alangad, ASG_P039 — Krishna: full panel view

Deity: Krishna Location: Alangad Sree Santana Gopala Murthy Temple Theme: Bhagavata Purana Visual Feature: Background pattern Visual Feature: Facial expression detail Visual Feature: Hand gesture (mudra)Visual Feature: Ornamentation

This panel depicts Krishna slaying Kaliya, the snake. The snake has three visible hoods and a long tail. Krishna is standing on top of one of Kaliya's hoods, holding his tail in one arm, defeating the serpent.

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Krishna
Secondary Figures: Kaliyan
Iconographic Form: Krishna ( Vishnu's incarnation)
Iconographic Attributes: Green skinned Krishna with yellow lower garment, with a crown on his head topped with peacock feathers, standing on top of Kaliya the serpent. His left hand is holding the tail of the snake. His right hand is raised up in Abhayamudra. He is standing on top of the hood of Kaliya.
Rasa: Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 39
Adjacent Panels: Dwarapalakan and Unnikannan

Narrative

Textual Source: Bhagavata Purana
Mythological Tale: Kaliya the snake polluted the waters of Yamuna with its poisonous venom. Krishna decided to bring an end to this, and he jumped into the Yamuna river. Kaliya began devouring Krishna, but Krishna escaped and jumped on top of Kaliya's hood and started dancing. He stepped on each of Kaliya's hoods, causing the snake to vomit blood and release its poison. In the end Kaliya was defeated, and Krishna emerged victorious.
Episode: Kaliyamardhanam

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Fair
Deterioration Type: Pigment loss
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: Temple authorities
Date of Documentation: 08/08/2024
Artist: Neelakantan Ilayath
Identifier: ASG_P039
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.