Image title: Figure 37: The destruction of Kama

[original] La destruction de Kāma, pilier dans le maṇḍapa du temple d’Airāvateśvara, Darasuram (cliché V. Gillet, 2008)

[transcription] The destruction of Kama, pillar in the mandapa of the temple of Airavateshvara, Darasuram (photo V. Gillet, 2008)

Gallery information:

These plates originate from the book The Creation of an Iconography as based on Shaivite narrative (original title: “La création d'une iconographie sivaïte narrative”) which details the sculptures and construction temples of the Pallava dynasty (in the Tamil-speaking Southern India) near the end of the 7th century. Usually, such constructions were dedicated to Shiva having the walls adorned with representations of Siva in various embodiments: some benign, some fierce and sanguinary, others victorious and regal.