Local Puranas (Sthalapuranas)
Historical background
Literary genre narrating the foundation myth of a temple. A mahatmya (glorification) may be composed in honour of the site, e.g. Chidambaramahatmya, as well as of a deity, such as the Devi Mahatmya.
Date: 17th century
Description: Top row (left): Map of the world: at its centre Nataraja (now disappeared); (right): Tunmata
and a court official before the Pandya king. Bottom row (from left to right) Tunmata seduces a woman, possibly the one seen one seen pounding rice near a house (damaged); Tunmata talks to a person (disappeared); He consorts with acrobats and courtesans and eventually is apprehended by soldiers.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, second bay from the south
Date: 17th century
Description: Top row( from left to right): Nataraja and Shivakami enshrined in the Chit Sabha (disappeared), opposite which a dancer and musicians are performing while Tunmata looks on; The next scene depicts a Brahmin trying to persuade Tunmata, who has been seized by a soldier, to mend his ways. Two ladies and a donkey carry the booty of his robberies. Bottom row: Tunmata bends down to touch a snake, he is bitten: Yama’s servants seize him. On the left: Shiva’s ganas attack Yama’s servants.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, second bay from the south
Date: 17th century
Description: Top row: (from left) the servants of Yama report to him; Chitragupta examines Tunmata’s records, which are correct. Yama on his buffalo rides to Shiva on Kailasa to complain: because Tunmata has seen Nataraja in the Chit Sabha, his sins are forgiven. Bottom row: Cheraman Perumal in a palanquin accompanied by a vast retinue travels to Chidambaram.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, second bay from the south
Date: 17th century
Description: Top row: Cheraman Perumal on his elephant (?); unidentified incident, probably a robbery; The king worships Nataraja and Shivakami. Bottom row: pilgrims bathe in the Shivaganga tank; A street with people engaged in various activities.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, second bay from south
Date: 17th century
Description: Top row: Worship at various shrines in the Chidambaram temple; Bottom row: Preparation of food to be distributed to the pilgrims.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, second bay from the south
Date: 17th century
Description: Top row: Pilgrims worshipping the Mulasthanam (?). Bhairava; Bottom row: Unidentified narrative involving a Brahmin, a group of pilgrims and the inhabitants of a forest.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, second bay from south
Date: 17th century
Description: Top row: Pilgrims worshipping Shiva and Parvati on Mount Kailasa; the ten tirthas at Chidambaram; Bottom row: Vyaghrapada (?), Patanjali, Brahma,
and Bhadrakali (?) worshipping the Mulasthanam (?).
Location: Tamil NaduTemple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, second bay from the south
Date: 17th century
Description: Top row (from right) Mahavishnu, Indra, Agni and Yama worship the linga; Indra worships the linga at Madurai; Bottom row (right): Chandra worships the linga.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, second bay from the south
Date: 17th century
Description: Top row (from right): Surya, Valmiki, and an ascetic worship the linga; Bottom row; three unidentified figures, possibly renowned sages, worship the linga; Vishnu pays homage to Shiva and Parvati on Mount Kailasa.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, second bay from the south
Date: 17th century
Description: Shaiva sacred sites; Top row, second from right: Tiruvarur(?); bottom row from left: Parvati worships the linga at Kanchipuram and Tiruvannamalai; Agastya at Vriddhachalam; the elephant at Tiruvanaikkaval: Vishnu at Kumbakonam, and offering his eyes at Tiruvilimilalai, Parvati as a peacock at Mayuram, Brahma at ? (the inscription has disappeared).
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, second bay from south
Date: 17th century
Description: Shaiva sacred sites; Top row; first from left: Parvati at Kanchipuram and Tiruvannamalai; Agastya at Vriddhachalam; The elephant at Tiruvanaikkaval; Vishnu at Kumbakonam and offering his eyes at Tiruvilimilalai, Parvati as a peacock at Mayuram, Brahma at ? ; Second row: A cow worships at Tiruvavaduturai; the four Vedas at ?; Ishana and Indra ?; Kali at Tiruvengadu; Jatayu at Vaitisvarankoyil .
Location: Tamil NaduTemple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa,second bay from south
Date: 17th century
Description: Nataraja and Sihvakami worshipped by a number of gods, devotees and ascetics dwelling in a hilly region. To the right the head of some prominent matha.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, second bay from south
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