Gandharvas
Historical background
Semi-divine beings who possess and ambivalent nature; on the one hand they have extraordinary healing powers on the other, they may cause madness. They are exquisite musicians and dancers of the gods and mix freely with humans.
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Aspects of Shiva; Chandrashekharamurti; A large crescent moon rests on the front of the god’s crown. Two ascetics are shown on Chandrashekhara’s right, and one one on his left. Two celestials fly in the clouds above.
Two-armed Parvati (?) seated on a beautifully decorated lotus throne. On her right is a female attendant. The figure on her left, possibly Shiva, has disappeared except for fragments of a crown of dreadlocks.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Colonnaded verandah, north bay
Date: mid-17th century
Description: An ascetic, Karuvur Siddha, and two gandharvas in a hilly landscape.
Location: Tamil NaduTemple;Narumpunatha Temple;Tiruppudaimarudur
Positioning: Gopura, third tier, north chamber, west wall
Date: mid-17th century
Description: The gandharvas sing the praise of the huge Sphutarjunam linga, which has emerged from the tree.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Narumpunatha Temple;Tiruppudaimarudur
Positioning: Gopura, third tier, north chamber, west wall
Date: mid-17th century
Description: Karuvur Siddha perfors puja before the linga with a flower (?) his hand; On the right, a gandharva sings the praises of the linga.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Narumpunatha Temple;Tiruppudaimarudur
Positioning: Gopura, third tier, north chamber, west wall
Date: mid-17th century
Description: From left: Rishis, celestials, a gandharva carrying a vina and Adhikaranandi find a linga (Shiva manifests himself as Sphutarjuna) inside the maruda tree.
Location: Tamil NaduTemple;Narumpunatha Temple;Tiruppudaimarudur
Positioning: Gopura, fourth tier, south chamber, west wall, top row
Date: mid-17th century
Description: Top row: From left: rishis, celestials, a gandharva carrying a vina, and Adhikaranandi before the maruda tree.
Bottom row: Indra, accompanied by a celestial and a rishi approaches the maruda tree and worships Shiva (Sphutarjuna).
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Narumpunatha Temple;Tiruppudaimarudur
Positioning: Gopura, fourth tier, south chamber, west wall
Date: 17th century
Description: Celebrations of Vishnu’s victory over Varkali; the gandharvas shower flowers; music and dance in the world of the gods, Devaloka.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Tyagaraja Temple;Tiruvarur
Positioning: Devasiriya mandapa, ceiling, first bay from the east
Date: 17th century
Description: Vishvakarma returns to inform Muchukunda that Tiruvarur is the suitable place. The original Tyagaraja and the other six images are taken to earth in a superbly decorated chariot; The celestials throw flower petals on the conveyance. On the left, the Valmikinatha shrine.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Tyagaraja Temple;Tiruvarur
Positioning: Devasiriya mandapa, ceiling, second bay from the east
Date: 17th century
Description: Under a shower of flowers strewn by the gandharvas, Muchukunda carries Tyagaraja to Tiruvarur and installs him in his shrine to the south of Valmikinatha. Vishnu, Brahma and the sages, Vyaghrapada and Patanjali among them, come to Tiruvarur for the Panguni Uttaram festival.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Tyagaraja Temple;Tiruvarur
Positioning: Devasiriya mandapa, ceiling, second bay from the east
Date: 17th century
Description: Under a shower of flowers strewn by the gandharvas, Muchukunda carries Tyagaraja to Tiruvarur and installs him in his shrine to the south of Valmikinatha. Vishnu, Brahma and the sages, Vyaghrapada and Patanjali among them, come to Tiruvarur for the Panguni Uttaram festival.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Tyagaraja Temple;Tiruvarur
Positioning: Devasiriya mandapa, ceiling, second aisle from the east
Date: 17th century
Description: Vishnu, Brahma and the sages, Vyaghrapada and Patanjali among them, come to Tiruvarur for the Panguni Uttaram festival; Muchukunda precedes a palanquin on which the icon of Thyagaraja progresses through the crowds. Gandharvas throw flowers on it, while the gods floating on a cloud pay homage to Tyagaraja. The hoisting of the flag marks the beginning of the celebrations of the festival.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Tyagaraja Temple;Tiruvarur
Positioning: Devasiriya mandapa, ceiling, second bay from the east
Date: 17th century
Description: Vasantotsava (Spring festival) fireworks. The eight dikpalas, Narada and Tumburu look on from the sky, while the gandharvas let a rain of petals fall on the images of Shiva Vrishabhavahana; The image of Chandrashekhara followed by those of his consorts is carried in procession. Fireworks enliven the event.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Tyagaraja Temple;Tiruvarur
Positioning: Devasiriya mandapa, ceiling, third bay from the east
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