Ganas
Historical background
Semi-divine beings attendants of Shiva, whose lord is Ganesha. They are generally depicted as lively, pot-bellied dwarfs dancing and playing musical instruments.
Date: First half of the 19th century
Description: Ganesha, Siddhi and Buddhi on their mouse vehicle flanked by fly whisk-bearing ganas.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Brihadishvara Temple complex;Thanjavur
Positioning: Courtyard, west colonnade
Date: First half of the 19th century
Description: Umamaheshvara on the bull Nandi, flanked by fly whisk-bearing ganas.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Brihadishvara Temple complex;Thanjavur
Positioning: Courtyard, west colonnade
Date: Paintings: late 19th, early 20th century
Description: Top row; Moved by Manikkavachakar prayers, Shiva orders his retainers to transform the jackals of the forest into horses on which they would ride towards Madurai. He himself would appear as a horseman.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Atmanatha Temple;Avudaiyarkoyil
Positioning: Sivananda Manikkavachakar shrine, west face
Date: 17th century
Description: Friezes of ganas (Shiva’s attendants) and musicians.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, second bay from the north (E)
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: First half of the 16th century
Description: Arjuna reaches a small Shiva temple perched on Indrakila hill and devoutly bows before the linga and resumes his journey. Accompanied by a gana, Bhairava appears before Arjuna who pays homage to him. The next section is almost completely lost. It probably depicted the progress of Arjuna in the Himalayas and the beginning of his penance. The two female figures on the left may well be the apsaras sent by Indra to seduce Arjuna and to test his steadfastness.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, central hall, west bay
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: From right: Parvati, a rishi; Bhringi; Adhikaranandi and Brahma. The next scene depicts Siva and Parvati riding on Nandi, being worshipped by a sage. The divine couple and a host of ganas, are on their way to the forest where Arjuna is performing his penance (extreme left). Flames emanate from him and snakes slither along his body.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, central hall, east bay
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: From right: Arjuna sits in deep meditation, flames emanate from his body and his hair stands on end.
Shiva and Parvati accompanied by their retinue, all in the guise of kiratas (hunters), walk through the forest. Before them appears a boar, Muka, destined to be killed by Arjuna. Shiva and Parvati sit on a nearby hillock looking on, while the wild boar, baring his sharp tusks runs, through the forest, almost landing on a group of sages who flee in panic.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, central hall, east bay south end
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: King Manuniti and his ministers discuss the incident; the king decides to punish the prince and along with two dignitaries he looks on while the chariot carrying the dead calf, followed by the cow licking it, is driven over the prince. A shower of flowers falls from the sky. On the extreme right; Shiva and Parvati appear riding on Nandi accompanied by a host of ganas and restore to life the prince and the calf.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, north bay
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Manuniti decides to punish the prince and along with two dignitaries he looks on while the chariot carrying the dead calf, followed by the cow licking it, is driven over the prince. A shower of flowers falls from the sky. On the extreme right; Shiva and Parvati appear riding on Nandi accompanied by a host of ganas and restore to life the prince and the calf.
Beginning of an unidentified narrative. From the remaining fragments it is possible to recognise a four-armed deity, probably Shiva, surrounded by a group of women.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, north bay
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: The chariot carrying the dead calf crushes the prince to death. Shiva and Parvati riding on Nandi appear followed by a host of ganas and resuscitate the prince and the calf. A rain of flowers falls from the sky on the group. On the extreme right fragments of an unidentified narrative: a four-armed deity, probably Shiva, surrounded by a group of women.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, north bay
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Before the eyes of Manuniti and his minister, Shiva and Parvati riding on Nandi, accompanied by a host of ganas appear on the scene and restore the prince and the calf to life. A gandharvi floating on a cloud strews flower petals on the group.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, north bay
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