Menaka and Viswamithra - Kerala Mural Archive

Alangad, ASG_P049 — Menaka and Viswamithra: full panel view

Detail Photos

Deity: Menaka Deity: Viswamithra Location: Alangad Sree Santana Gopala Murthy Temple Theme: Non-narrative Visual Feature: Background pattern Visual Feature: Facial expression detail Visual Feature: Hand gesture (mudra)Visual Feature: Ornamentation

This can possibly be the image of Menaka and Vishwamitra. Vishwamitra is a sage who is sitting below, looking up at Menaka or the female figure. She is beautiful and wearing a white saree. She is notable for her long black hair. She is supporting her chin with her hands. The sage seems to be holding her hand while looking at her.

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Menaka and Viswamithra
Iconographic Form: Not Applicable
Iconographic Attributes: Heavily damaged panel, a male figure with hair held up in a bun and a beard and mustache resembling a sage in a seated position, wearing jewelry of different kinds, is draped in a saffron red cloth and a yellow lower, yellow dhoti. He is holding the hands of a celestial woman, perhaps Menaka. She is wearing a white saree with ornaments and a crown on her forehead, on her head. She is lifting up her chin with her hand, and her other hand is held tightly by the male figure. She has long flowing hair as well.
Rasa: Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 49
Adjacent Panels: Unknown figure on Elephant and Vashthrapaharanam

Narrative

Textual Source: Non-narrative
Mythological Tale: Vishwamitra once undertook a penance that lasted for many years. Devendra sent one of his apsaras, or celestial being, down to the earth. Her name was Menaka. She was immensely beautiful. She was a dancer in Indra's court. She distrupted his meditation, seduced Vishwamitra, and a child, Shakuntala, was later born to them.
Episode: Non narrative

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_P049
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.