Shiva - Kerala Mural Archive

Kadavil Thrikkovil, KTK_P040 — Shiva: full panel view

Detail Photos

Deity: Shiva Location: Kadavil Thrikkovil Sreekrishna Swamy Temple Theme: Non-narrative Visual Feature: Hand gesture (mudra)Visual Feature: Ornamentation

Unidentified figure; outlines of which is visible faintly; golden skin, with an ornate crown, with a crescent moon over the top of the head, three eyes, four arms; There is another figure standing nearby; The depiction is set over the backdrop of a huge tree with multiple leaves.

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Shiva
Iconographic Form: Shiva
Iconographic Attributes: Faded outlines of this panel is visible, of which we can make out three eyes, a crown with the crescent moon. These evidences suggest that the figure may be Shiva. There is also another figure beside Shiva, but it is completely undecipherable. There is a tree behind the figure with lots of leaves.
Rasa: Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

Zone within Temple: Sanctum
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 40
Adjacent Panels: Indra and Dwarapalakan

Narrative

Textual Source: Non-narrative
Mythological Tale: Shiva is one among the three primary deities of Hinduism. He is in charge of destruction. His consort is Parvati, and he is known for wearing his hair in dreadlocks, with a crescent moon decorated upon it and Ganga also seated above it. He wears a leopard skin, a tiger skin cloth, and is four-armed, and wears serpents as ornaments. Here in this figure, one hand might be held up in Vyakhyana mudra, and the other might be holding a Veda.
Episode: Non-narrative

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Poor
Deterioration Type: Plaster loss
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: Temple priest
Date of Documentation: 10/05/2025
Artist: Unknown
Identifier: KTK_P040
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.