Image title: Figure 253. Sita

This is a beautiful sculpture of Sita. She is in Ayata Sthana, holding a Padma with her right hand and her left hand is in Lata. She is exhibiting Abhanga posture and her waist is in Udvahita on the right side. Siras is slightly bent down in Avadhuta, Urah [uras] is in Sama, Parsva is unbent. Right leg is straight and unbent. Right Uru is in Stambhana, right Janu and Pada are in Sama. Left leg is at ease, left Janu is slightly bent, left Jangha is in Nata, left Pada is in Sama. Her Abhusanam [Abhusana] is marvelously shown.

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.