Image title: Figure 258. Pattabhirama

This is a beautiful sculpture of Pattabhirama, Sita Devi, King Janaka and Visvamitra. This is a scene from Lord Rama’s coronation. Lord Rama is seated in Sukhasana, his left leg is folded and his right leg is left down placed on a platform. His Siras, Parsva, Urah [uras] and Kati are in Sama. His right hand is in Jnana Mudra. His left hand is loose in Lata. Sita Devi is seated next to the Lord again in Sukahasana, her right leg folded and her left leg down on a platform. Her Siras, Parsva, Urah [uras] and Kati are in Sama. Her right hand is holding a Padma and her left hand is in Varada. On the left side of the pillar there are 2 figures of King Janaka and sage Visvamitra. King Janaka is seated in Sukhasana, His Siras is in Sama, his Parsva is in Sama, his Urah [uras] is in Udhvahita, his Kati is in Sama. His right hand is raised up in Jnana Mudra, his left hand is placed on the lap. He is wearing a crown. Next to him is Sage Visvamitra who is seated in Padmasana, his Siras is in Sama, Parsva is in Samunnata on right and Nata on left. His Urah [uras] is also in Udvahita, his Kati is in Sama, his right hand is raised up in Sandamsa, his left hand is placed on his lap.

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.