Coronation of the King

[Full title: Other Religious Beliefs and Customs (during the Pallava period): Coronation of the king]

Literary, epigraphical and sculptural evidences show the popularity of coronation ceremonies in the Pallava royal family. Important sculptural evidence is found in the series of panels adoring the cloister mandapa of the Vaikunthaperumal temple at Kanchipuram (fig. 85). In all these panels, the king is shown comparatively larger in size than the other characters and is seated majestically in pralambapada pose on a throne having the legs modeled in the form resembling that of the lion’s. He is shown being anointed by a pair of officiating priests either in the act of placing the crown on his head or by pouring abhishekajala over his head from pair of pot. The king is also seen flanked by attendants bearing fly-whisks and other officials, ministers and sub-ordinates. Thus, from the accompanying label inscription^[1] found beneath the panels depicting the coronation ceremony of Nandivarman II Pallavamalla, it is learnt that Pallavamalla has been jointly anointed by the mantrimandala, mahasamantas, the two ganattar and ghatakaiyar and invested him with royal paraphernalia like royal umbrella or chhatri called Karivai, the sacred conch called Samudraghosha and Katmukha-vaditra, the flag with the khatvanga as the symbol and the bull crest. However, from the panels, except the umbrella proclaiming royalty no other paraphernalia can be seen. One important costume seen in all the coronation scene is the king wearing a cross band across his chest called as ubhaya-vaikakshika. This ornament seems to be especially worn during the coronation ceremony and is absent on other occassions^[2].