Image title: Figure 244. Ulagalanda Perumal

This is the figure of Ulagalanda Perumal meaning “He who measured the world.” Here we can see Lord Visnu incarnated as Vamana who is here see as measuring the sky. On the right of him is Mahabali the Asura king whose yagna would have rendered the Devatas powerless. We can even identify this as Dandapada Cari. Lord Visnu’s right leg is in Sama and unbent. Uru in in Stambhana. Janu and Pada are in Sama. His left leg is lifted up. Left Janu is in Unnata, left Jangha is in Ksipta, left Pada is in Kuncita m.

His main right hand is in Abhaya, main left hand is in Recita. Back right and left hands are holding Cakra and Sankha respectively.

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.