Image title: Figure 283. Caturbhuja Venu Gana Kannan

Caturbhuja Venu Gana Kannan has four hands, his front two hands are holding the flute. His back right and left hands are holding Cakra and Sankha. His Siras and Urah [uras] are in Sama, Parsva is unbent, his Kati is in Udvahita on the left side. He left leg is straight and unbent. Left Uru, is in Stambhana, left Janu is in Sama, left Pada is in Sama. Right leg is crossed in front Svastika. Left Jangha is in Avartita and right Pada in Agratala.

Above, in the same pillar is the figure of Astabhuja Cakratalvar. The Sudarsana Cakra of Lord Visnu is given the status of God by the devotees and he is worshipped as Cakratalvar. He is considered very powerful and it is believed that all sins can be got rid of by worshipping him. He is Dasabhuja but the Ayudhas in his hands are not clear (other than Sankha and Cakra).

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.