Image title: Figure 214. Matsya Avatara

On top of the same pillar we find the figure of Matsya Avatara of Lord Visnu. During the Satyuga, at the time of Mahapralaya when the Vedas got stolen by Hiranyaksa and the creation was getting destroyed Lord Visnu incarnated as the fish and saved the Vedas and steered the boat with elements of creation into the next Yuga. In the Bhagavad Gita or Krsna tells Arjuna that whenever there is destruction of Dharma and there is rise of evil Lord Visnu incarnates again and again for the protection of good and reinstating of Dharma. Thus the Dasavatara or the ten incarnations of Visnu find great importance.

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.