Kirathasunu - Kerala Mural Archive

Kadavil Thrikkovil, KTK_P020 — Kiratasunu: full panel view

Detail Photos

Deity: Kirathasunu Location: Kadavil Thrikkovil Sreekrishna Swamy Temple Theme: Non-narrative Visual Feature: Background pattern Visual Feature: Facial expression detail Visual Feature: Hand gesture (mudra)Visual Feature: Ornamentation

Green-skinned Kiratasunu stands upright with a fierce expression on his face. He has a bow and arrow in his left hand and sword on his right hand. He wears a red upper cloth and jwellery including rings, armlets and necklaces. He wears a crown topped with peacock feathers.

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Kiratasunu
Iconographic Form: Kiratasunu
Iconographic Attributes: Green-skinned bearded Kiratasunu; black moustache; crown with peacock feather; earrings, rings, necklaces, armlets; red upper garment; open-eyed; bow and arrow on left hand; sword in the right arm.
Rasa: Veera

Spatial & Architectural

Zone within Temple: Sanctum
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 20
Adjacent Panels: Dhaanya Lakshmi and Sage

Narrative

Textual Source: Non-narrative
Mythological Tale: Kirathasunu is considered as the son of shivan and Parvati as kirathar or forest-dwellers. They took this form in order to test Arjuna who was meditating in the forest.
Episode: Non-narrative

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Fair
Deterioration Type: Pigment loss
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: Temple priest
Date of Documentation: 10/05/2025
Artist: Unknown
Identifier: KTK_P020
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.