Image title: Figure 44. Siva and Parvati

A romantic sculpture of Siva and Parvati. Parvati is sitting on Siva’s lap. His one right hand is holding the Parasu and the other right hand is in Abhaya Mudra. His main left hand is around Parvati. Siva’s second left hand is not clear. Both are having smiling faces. Parvati’s right hand is around Siva’. Siva is sitting in Sukhasana with his left leg folded and his right leg hanging down. Parvati is sitting with both her legs lose and let down.

Parvati was formerly the daughter of Daksa in her previous life. Being dishonoured at the sacrifice of her father and being witness of Siva’s dishonor she was furious and cast off her body. She took birth as Parvati as the daughter of Himavat and became Siva’s wife through penance.

Gallery information:

Kumbakonam is considered as one of the holiest places in Tamil Nadu and is known for its temples and Mathas (monasteries which were centres of Brahmanical learning). These photographs depict the connection between the sculptures in the temples and Natya Shastra and related texts dealing with iconography.