Image title: Figure 235: Somaskandamurti

[original] Somāskandamūrti, niche no 51 du mur d’enceinte, face au sud, Kailāsanātha, Kāñcipuram (cliché V. Gillet, 2008)

[transcription] Somaskandamurti, niche no. 51 of the surrounding wall, facing south, Kailasanatha, Kancipuram (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.