Image title: Figure 307a. Caturbhja Narayana and Garudan

This pillar has three sculptures of Caturbhja Narayana, Garudan and Dhanvantri. Dhanvantri is an Avatar of Visnu from the Hindu tradition. He appears in the Vedas and Puranas as the physician of the gods (Devas), and the god of Ayurvedic medicine. It is common practice in Hinduism for worshipers to pray to Dhanvantri seeking his blessings for sound health for themselves and/or others, especially on Dhanteras.

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.