Image title: Figure 46. Bhairava with four hands

This is the image of Bhairava with four hands. Front right hand is holding a Trisula, front left hand is holding a skull cap as a begging bowl, back right hand is holding a Damaru and back left hand is holding a Pasa. A dog is standing behind him as Vahana. He is standing in Samabhanga. Bhairava means terrifying and this is an adjective applied to him in his fearful form.

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.