Sreerama Pattabhishekam - Kerala Mural Archive

Detail Photos

Deity: Sreeraman Location: Chemmanthatta Mahadeva Temple Theme: Ramayana Visual Feature: Ceiling medallion Visual Feature: Facial expression detail Visual Feature: Hand gesture (mudra)Visual Feature: Ornamentation

The image shows Rama’s coronation after his return from exile. Rama is depicted as seated on the throne alongside Sita to his right. Rama is green-skinned and wears jewellery befitting a King. He is sitting upright with folded legs (padmasana). He has an ornate crown studded with jewels. Two sages are seen pouring milk or some other liquid over Rama’s head (abhishekam). Sita’s figure is mostly damaged. There two vanaras including Hanuman in attendance. There are two rakshasas also in present, one of whom is Vibhishana. He is blue-skinned with fangs holding the alavattam. There are three human figures at the bottom whose details have been faded away, but can possibly be three brothers of Rama. There are other figures difficult to make out because of damage. The details at the bottom of the panel maybe decorations on the throne, but it is difficult to be certain about it.

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Sreerama (incarnation of Vishnu)
Secondary Figures: Bharathan, Hanuman, Lakshmanan, Shathrughnan, Sita, Vibhishanan; two sages; one vanara; one rakshasi
Iconographic Form: Sreerama (Vishnu’s incarnation)
Iconographic Attributes: Sreerama takes the central position in the panel, is green-skinned, wearing jwellery such as an ornate jewel studded crown, necklaces, armlets, bangles, anklets, earrings and so on; he is sitting cross-legged, in Padmasana; there is a bow in his right hand and arrow in his left; Two sages — white-skinned to the left and yellow-skinned to the right, stand on either side of Rama and do the abhishekam (ceremonial pouring of liquids like milk or water over the newly annointed King)’ they are characterised by their moustache, beard, and strings of rudraksha as jewellery. Sita’s figure is but a mere shadow; she is neverthless golden-skinned, decked in jwellery, sitting on Rama’s right. Vibhishana being an asura is seen with wide eyes, fangs, bluish-green skin colour; he is holding an alavattam; a rakshasi’s head can be seen standing behind Seeta, characterised by fangs yet having golden skin;; Hanuman is white-skinned with red face, features resembling a monkey. Another green-skinned red faced vanara with monkey-like features can be seen beside Hanuman; There are three human figures below Hanuman, who maybe Rama’s three brothers: Lakshmanan, Bharatan and Shathrukhnan.
Rasa: Veera

Spatial & Architectural

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

Narrative

Textual Source: Ramayana
Mythological Tale: The depiction is of the coronation of Rama after his return from Lanka after killing Ravana and reclaiming Sita. After Rama was forced to go to vanavasa (or life in the forest) by Kaikeyi, his brother Bharathan refused to assume charge of Ayodhya kingdom. Upon Rama’s insistence, he ruled on Rama’s behalf throughout the exile period. When Rama returned from exile, he was immediately crowned the king of Ayodhya. This depiction shows alavattam and venchamaram, commonly used props during temple festivals. This suggests that the artists were much inspired by the local customs.
Episode: Sreerama Pattabhishekam/ Coronation of Rama

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Fair
Deterioration Type: Plaster loss
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: Combined permission
Date of Documentation: 12/08/2024
Artist: Unknown
Identifier: CMT_P001
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.