Ramayana
Historical background
One of the two great Sanskrit epics of India, the other being the Mahabharata. In its present form the epic consists of disparate elements, including romantic stories, myths, legends and vague historical information.
Date: 18th century, damaged by splashes of whitewash
Description: Top row: Two messengers on their way to king Kekaya’s country; One of them hands Vasishtha’s letter to the king at the presence of his court priest, Bharata and Shatrughna. Bottom row: Bharata and Shatrughna, back in Ayodhya, partecipate in the preparations for Dasharatha’s cremation.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallalagar Temple complex;Alagar Koyil
Positioning: Vasanta mandapa, south west corner
Date: 18th century, partly obliterated by splashes of whitewash
Description: Top row: Partly illegible because of the whitewash splashes; Bharata and Shatrughna ride back to Ayodhya. Their wives follow in palanaquins. Bottom row: Preparations for Dasharatha’s funeral; Vasishtha places the bow on the body of the king; Funeral procession; Bharata sets the pyre ablaze. From this point a substantial part of the lower register has disappeared.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallalagar Temple complex;Alagar Koyil
Positioning: Vasanta mandapa, west wall
Date: 18th century, damaged by splashes of whitewash
Description: Bharata, Shatrughna and their wives are welcomed on their return to Ayodhya.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallalagar Temple complex;Alagar Koyil
Positioning: Vasanta mandapa, west wall
Date: 18th century, partly obliterated by whitewash
Description: Queen Kaikeyi argues with Bharata at the presence of Shatrughna and, in order to drive her point home, she slaps him.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallalagar Temple complex;Alagar Koyil
Positioning: Vasanta mandapa, west wall
Date: 18th century, partly obliterated by whitewash
Description: Bharata is on the verge of retaliating, but Shatrughna restrains him; The two princes meet Kausalya and Sumitra.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallagar Temple complex;Alagar Koyil
Positioning: Vasanta mandapa, west wall
Date: 18th century, partly obliterated by whitewash
Description: Bharata and Shatrughna converse with Kausalya and Sumitra; Overcome by grief, the youths collapse and are consoled by the queens.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallalagar Temple complex;Alagar Koyil
Positioning: Vasanta mandapa, west wall
Date: 18th century, partly obliterated by whitewash
Description: A conversation between Bharata, Shatrughna and the queens, Kausalya and Sumitra; The two princes pay homage to Vasishtha, who gives them words of advice.
Location: Tamil NaduTemple;Kallalagar Temple complex;Alagar Koyil
Positioning: Vasanta mandapa, west wall
Date: 18th century, partly obliterated and damaged by splashes of whitewash
Description: On their way to Mount Chitrakuta, Vasishtha, Bharata, Shatrughna and the three queens visit Bharadvaja’s hermitage.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallalagar Temple complex;Alagar Koyil
Positioning: Vasanta mandapa, west wall
Date: 18th century
Description: The royal party alight from their chariots and walk towards Mount Chitrakuta.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallalagar Temple complex;Alagar Koyil
Positioning: Vasanta mandapa, west wall
Date: 18th century, partly obliterated and damaged by splashes of whitewash
Description: Top row: Lakshmana perched on top of a tree sees the royal party approaching Mount Chitrakuta and alerts Rama and Sita; The exiles converse with a group of sages; Bottom row: While walking between Rama and Lakshmana Sita is abducted by the rakshasa Viradha; Rama shoots and arrow which severs his head and frees Sita. Note Viradha’s arms falling to the ground.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallalagar Temple complex;Alagar Koyil
Positioning: Vasanta mandapa. west wall
Date: 18th century, partly obliterated and damaged by splashes of whitewash
Description: Top row: The sage Bharadvaja (?) and the four princes perform the shraddha rituals for king Dasharatha; (On the right): Rama -Sita and Lakshmana seated behind him- talks to Bharata, Shatrughna and a third person. Bottom row: Fragments depicting the wanderings of the exiles in the forest and their meetings with various ascetics.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallalagar Temple complex;Alagar Koyil
Positioning: Vasanta mandapa; west wall
Date: 18th century, partly obliterated and damaged by splashes of whitewash
Description: Top row: Rama talks with one of his brothers (?); Rama and Sita sit on Mount Chitrakuta while Lakshmana stands in attendance; On the right: Bharata receives Rama’s sandals which are transported to Ayodhya on the back of an elephant.
Bottom row: Fragments showing the wanderings of the exiles through the forest and their meetings with ascetics.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallalagar Temple complex;Alagar Koyil
Positioning: Vasanta mandapa; west wall
« Previous 1 … 8 9 10 11 12 … 42 Next »