Kinnaras
Historical background
Semi-divine beings, characterised by human faces and bird’s bodies and magnificent foliated tails, or by human bodies with horse’s faces. They, along with the gandharvas, are the musicians of the gods.
Date: 18th century
Description: Vishnu Sheshashayana floats on the Milky Ocean with Sridevi and Bhudevi at his feet; Brahma sits on the lotus sprouting from the god’s navel; Gandharvas and kinnaras floating on clouds sing and make music; At the bottom (left) are the dikpalas; Gods and Narada and Tumburu (right).
Location: Tamil NaduTemple;Kallagar Temple complex;Alagar Koyil
Positioning: Vasanta mandapa, central pavilion, ceiling, north east corner
Date: First half of the 19th century
Description: Shiva and Parvati flanked by Narada (right) and Tumburu (left). In the upper corners of the tableau, kinnaras strewing flowers on the divine couple; Above the main scene: buildings inhabited by rishis; At the bottom, centre, two crouching Nandis facing one another.
Location: Karnataka Temple;Virupaksha Temple;Hampi
Positioning: Open mandapa, ceiling, first row from west, central panel
Date: First half of the 19th century
Description: The wedding of Shiva and Parvati. At the centre, Shiva and Parvati, her father Himavan giving her away. Immediately on the left, near Shiva is Brahma, followed by Vishnu, Sarasvati, Narada, Tumburu and Bhairava. On the right, behind Himavan, are Mena (?) and four goddesses bearing trays; Bhringi, Adhikaranandi and Ganesha. Immediately above the divine couple, are Purushamriga (left); Kamadhenu (right) and in the corners kinnaras strew flowers on Shiva and Parvati. Kinnaras playing musical instruments and buildings inhabited by rishis are shown above the main scenes. Musicians playing trumpets and kettledrums, crouching Nandi, flanked by eight armed figures, possibly the dikpalas, are shown in the register immediately beneath the main scenes.
The next row shows the eight dikpalas.
Location: Karnataka Temple;Virupaksha Temple;Hampi
Positioning: Open mandapa, ceiling, second row from west
Date: First half of the 19th century
Description: The wedding of Shiva and Parvati, detail: Tumburu, Narada and Bhairava (?), Vishnu and Sarasvati. Above the main scenes (left), kinnaras playing musical instruments and buildings inhabited by rishis (right). Below the main scenes: a dancer, two kettledrum and four trumpet players.
Location: Karnataka Temple;Virupaksha Temple;Hampi
Positioning: Open mandapa, ceiling, second row from west
Date: First half of the 19th century
Description: The wedding of Shiva and Parvati, detail; Three goddesses bearing trays; Bhringi, Adhikaranandi and Ganesha. Immediately above are kinnaras playing musical instruments and buildings inhabited by rishis. Below: Musicians playing trumpets and kettledrums, and a dancer.
Location: Karnataka Temple;Virupaksha Temple;Hampi
Positioning: Open mandapa, ceiling, second row from west