Description of Kankala-Murti

The characteristic feature of Kamkala-murti is that the legs are wearing the sandals. The left leg is firmly placed on the Pitha whereas the right leg is ready for walk. The right leg is placed somewhat in an upward position in a beautiful pose. The Kankala-murti is in pure white colour and is adorned with all ornaments. The dress is made neat and attractive with gems and

the head has the Datura flower, a serpent and the crescent moon. The left hand bears a stick and a skelton of a human being. The two legs of the skelton is tied with a rope and this skelton is hanged in the left shoulder. The Bhutaganas are depicted as marching to the left side ahead carrying a Balipatra with them. On the right side is Parvati who is looking downward. Parvati is with a distracted mind on seeing the fearful appearance of Siva. Siva wears the hide of the tiger as clothings. On the right side, the girdle is tied up with a Ksurika. The Kamkalamurti is being worshipped by the Yaksas, Kinnaras, Siddhas etc. kamkalamurtin vaksye padayoh padukanvitam// susthitam vamapadam tu gamanapeksayaparam/ padamisat samuddhrtya karotyadhikasundaram// suddhasvetanibham caru sarvabharanabhusitam/ ratnakancukabaddhamgam jatamakutamanditam// dhurdhurapuspam nagam ca vame daksendusekharam/ kincitprakasitantasthadasanamsuvirajitam// daksinam harinivaktre vyapitam simhakarnavat/ vamahaste ca dandam tu kamkalasthi ca dharayet// 134

tadasthyakrti nirmamsam dvipadam dvikaranvitam/ krsnasyamanibhakaramapane dandavesanam// (Silparatna, II, 22, 116-121) It is noticed that Kankalamurtis are found at Kumbhakonam, Tenkasi and at Suchindram also.' 14