Image title: Figure 318. Sculpture showing Sri Rama

This sculpture shows Sri Rama and on his left side Sita, Laksmana and Urmila, and on his right side Janaka, Visvamitra and Vasista. All of them are sitting in Padmasana. Sri Rama is holding Padma with his right hand, Sita is also holding Padma with her right hand and so is Urmila. Laksmana’s right hand is in Varada. Janaka, Visvamitra and Vasista’s right hands are all in Abhaya Hasta. Everybody’s left hand is in the 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.