Image title: Bhairavi (Ekambareshvara temple)

Fig. 148 to Fig. 161 are the depictions of Bhairavi Cakra/Cakra Puja practice of the Tantric cult. Usually in sculptures, the practice of Bhairavi Cakra is always depicted with a group of male tantric practitioners who are lesser in height than the woman and standing in a nude pose with or holding their erect virile membrane (penis) in their hand. And they are in anjali mudra, in front of or at the legs of the gigantic nude women, (hereafter called as Bhairavi), who is showing her secret parts in a standing pose. However, there are slight differences in those depictions in each place. Sometimes the male practitioners may be four or less in numbers and even one also.

Fig. 153: This sculpture is found in the entrance mandapa of the Ekambareshvara temple at Kancipuram of Tamilnadu. More than usual, here Bhairavi is depicted in Vrkshasana pose and in anjali mudra in a nude form. Under her, two practitioners are depicted; one is kneeling down to her feet and another one is standing and just bent towards her by holding his erect penis in his both hands. His hairdo is similar with the hair style found in the Fig.60. He is wearing rudrakshamala in his neck and arms; and both are found with the beard.

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.