Vamanan
Detail Photos
This image shows Vamana stepping on the head of Mahabali. Vamana is depicted as a child, with a stick in his hand and his other hand on his hips. Mahabali holds his hands together in anjali mudra, accepting his fate.
Narrative
- Textual Source
- Non-narrative
- Mythological Tale
- Vamana is the fifth incarnation or avatar of Vishnu. He came in the form of a little Brahmin boy and asked for alms from the asura King Mahabali. Mahabali, being a generous man, offered the boy anything that he wants. Vamana asked for three feet of land. Mahabali agreed. Suddenly the boy turned into a huge figure. With one stride, he covered the entire earth. With the second stride, he covered the entire sky, and he asked Mahabali where to place his third stride, and Mahabali offered his own head. Vamana placed the third stride on top of Mahabali's head, causing Mahabali to descent to Patala loka. Vamana was moved by Mahabali's dedication towards keeping his promise. He granted him a boon that Mahabali will be able to visit his people once a year. This returning, or this homecoming of Mahabali, is celebrated in Kerala as the festival of Onam, where houses prepare floral carpets as a way to invite Mahabali into their homes.
- Episode
- Non narrative
Iconography
- Primary Deity/Figure
- Vamanan
- Iconographic Form
- Vamanan (Vishnu's incarnation)
- Iconographic Attributes
- Brahmin boy with yellow dhoti and white with golden bordered uttareeya, rudraksha mala, hair to his shoulders, bangles, anklet, a stick on his left hand, right hand resting at his waist, leg placed on Mahabali's head, dark complexion of Mahabali, wearing a bluish green upper garment and jewelry, his head bent, his eyes closed, hands in anjali mudra.
- Visual & Formal Features
- Background pattern, Facial expression detail, Hand gesture (mudra), Ornamentation
- Rasa
- Shanta
Spatial & Architectural
- Position in Pradakshina Sequence
- 21
- Adjacent Panels
- Venugopalan with Radha, and Mahalakshmi
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_P021
- Rights / Notes
- These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.
