Image title: Nathapanthi (yoga-danda)

[Series: Representations of Yogic Postures of the Siddhas and Nāthas in the Medieval Temples]

Fig. 118: This sculpture is found in the north side of the southern gopura of Villianur temple. In this a Nathapanthi is seated on a long yoga-danda in a pariyangasana pose. His right hand is resting in a danda-hasta pose on his right leg knee. In his left hand, he is holding a fly whisk like staff. He is wearing the similar appendages as found in the Fig. 24 and Fig.49 such as a medallion of deer horn in his chest, big kundala, matted hair and a wallet in his left arm.

Gallery information:

The Siddha/Natha tradition symbolize the most comprehensive understanding and application of the theoretical and methodological tenets of Tantric philosophy. There are many Siddha-centres all over the Tamilnadu. The temples in Tamil-Nadu contain the sculptures depicting the Tantric rites and the images of the venerated Siddhas in it.