Rakshasas
Historical background
Malevolent spirits that roam at night assuming many forms at will. They are described as raw flesh-eaters, having deformed limbs, sharp claws and side-fangs. They play a prominent role in Hindu mythology and folklore.
Date: Late 16th or early 17th century
Description: Bottom row: Rama on the battlefield ; Vibhishana talks to him; Battle scenes; Central row: almost totally
disappeared; Top row: Hanuman on a hillock; Hanuman and Vibhishana talk to Jambavan; Wounded and dying heroes.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Venugopala Parthasarathi Temple;Chengam
Positioning: Open mandapa, ceiling
Date: Late 16th or early 17th century
Description: Bottom row, left: A council scene: Rama discusses the strategy with Hanuman, Vibhishana and Jambavan; On the extreme right: Lakshmana on Hanuman’s shoulders fights against Indrajit (?); Central row: Disappeared; Top row: The wounded and dying vanaras.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Venugopala Parthasarathi Temple;Chengam
Positioning: Open mandapa, ceiling
Date: First half of the 19th century
Description: Rama, flanked by Janaka and Sita wins the archery contest. Two couples flank the main tableau. The seven rishis are shown in the vignettes on the left and the right. Celestial beings and rishis inhabit the five buildings at the top of the composition. Beneath the main scene is a lying figure, possibly Ravana. According to some re-tellings of the epic, he was among the princes present at the archery contest and fainted when Rama won.
Location: Karnataka Temple;Virupaksha Temple;Hampi
Positioning: Open mandapa, ceiling, sixth register from west
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Ramapattabhisheka (Rama’s coronation); Rama’s allies: (from right) Vibhishana, Sugriva, Angada and other monkeys.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, first bay from the west, south end
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Ramapattabhisheka (Rama’s coronation); From right: Vibhishana; Sugriva; Angada.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamadapa, westernmost bay, south end
Date: Second half of the 17th century
Description: View of the Sri Ranganatha Temple on Srirangam Island. In the actual temple, the deity reclines on his right side on the serpent Shesha. Here, however Sri Ranganatha is shown reclining on his left side. At his feet is Vibhishana strewing flowers. In the foreground are the processional images of Alagiyamanavala and his consorts. In the top left corner is the Ranganayaki shrine and in the right the Chandra Pushkarini. The image of Paravasudeva is clearly depicted on the dome of the shrine.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kailasanathar Temple;Nattam
Positioning: Ceiling of the open mandapa, south side
Date: 16th century
Description: Top row (left): Rama kills Tataka and, (right), protects the rishis’ yajna; Bottom row: The citizens of Ayodhya follow the exiles’ chariot (?).
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Chennakeshava Temple;Somapalem
Positioning: Open mandapa, ceiling
Date: 16th century
Description: Top row: Rishyashringa performs the putrakameshti yajna (ritual for begetting a son); Agni emerges from the fire pit; Bottom row (left): Rama kills Tataka and protects the rishis’ yajna.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Chennakeshava Temple;Somapalem
Positioning: Open mandapa, ceiling
Date: 16th century
Description: Top row (right): Rama kills Tataka (left) and frees Ahalya from her curse; Bottom row (right): A chariot (unclear); Rama, Sita and Lakshmana meet Guha (?).
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Chennakeshava Temple;Somapalem
Positioning: Open mandapa, ceiling
Date: 16th century
Description: Top (from right): Agni emerges from the sacrificial fire during the putrakameshti yajna (ritual for obtaining a son); Rishyashringa hands the vessel with the payasa to Dasharatha (disappeared); Bottom row (from left): Rama kills Tataka at Vishvamitra’s behest, and then protects the rishi’s yajna.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Chennakeshava Temple;Somapalem
Positioning: Open mandapa, ceiling
Description: Top row: Ravana addresses Sita held captive in the ashokavana.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Chennakeshava Temple;Somapalem
Date: 16th century
Description: Top: Ravana in his palace.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Somapalem
Positioning: Open mandapa, ceiling
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