Shankaranarayanan - Kerala Mural Archive

Detail Photos

Thalore, THL_P001 — Shankaranarayana (Shiva-Vishnu composite): detail view 1 of 3

Thalore, THL_P001 — Shankaranarayana (Shiva-Vishnu composite): detail view 2 of 3

Thalore, THL_P001 — Shankaranarayana (Shiva-Vishnu composite): detail view 3 of 3

Living Tradition · The Present Day

Deity: Shiva Deity: Vishnu Location: Thalore Mahadeva Temple Theme: Non-narrative

Fusion of Shankaran (Shiva) and Narayanan (Vishnu). On the left side is the white-skinned Shiva with matted locks, tiger skin attire, rudraksha, snake as his ear ornament, and holding a trishula on one hand. His other hand holds a bowl of rice. On the right side is the blue-skinned Vishnu in his yellow attire, holding his sudarsana chakra. His other hand holds the shankh, or conch shell. They are surrounded by sages and devas surrounding them holding anjali mudras. There are also floral decorations towards the bottom of the panel.

Narrative

Textual Source: Non-narrative
Mythological Tale: Shankaranarayanan, as the fusion of two of the three supreme deities of Hinduism suggests that in the end, all the Gods are manifestations of the same supreme power often named as the Brahman. In the temples of Kerala the Shiva-Vaishnava separation is absent as Shiva is depicted in a Vishnu temple and Vishnu in a Shiva temple.
Episode: Shankaranarayana

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Shankaranarayana (Shiva-Vishnu composite)
Secondary Figures: Sages; Devas
Iconographic Form: Shankaranarayanan
Iconographic Attributes: Shiva holding his trident trishula; serpent as his ear ornament; rudraksha maala; tiger-skin lower garment; necklace of skulls; matted locks; Ganga, serpent, and crescent moon on his hair. Vishnu holding his weapon sudarsana chakra and conch shell shankhu in two of his hands; yellow-coloured lower garment.
Visual & Formal Features: Border pattern, Decorative Arch, Facial expression detail, Floral motifs, Hand gesture (mudra), Ornamentation
Rasa: Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

Temple: Sanctum
Zone within Temple: Sanctum
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 1
Adjacent Panels: Vetta Shasthav

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Good
Deterioration Type: Pigment loss
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: Temple authorities
Date of Documentation: 22/08/2024
Artist: Senthil
Identifier: THL_P001
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.