Image title: Figure 319. Ulagalanda Perumal

This is a marvellous sculpture of Ulagalanda Perumal which shows Visnu who came as Vamana (he can be seen below with an umbrella). Mahabali can be seen on the left with his wives doing Dana. On Vamana’s right side is shown Garudan. Then there is this marvellous figure of Visnu who grows enormously and spans the earth with one step and the sky with the lifted leg. Ulagam [Ulaga] means the world and Alanda means one who measured.

The second sculpture on this pillar is that of Mahabali doing Dana (charity) with his wife seated next to him. We can see Vamana standing in the line holding an umbrella.

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.