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: 16th century
Description: Top row: Fragment of a battle scene, Ravana mounted on a chariot on the battlefield; On the left
two figures on a chariot and their followers (barely visible); Bottom row: (right) Rama, Lakshmana and Hanuman face an unidentified figure (Vibhishana?); On the left: Unidentifible episode.
mudra (Vibhishana?)
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Chennakeshava Temple;Somapalem
Positioning: Open mandapa,ceiling
Date: 16th century
Description: Top row (left): Rama and Sita (?) in a chariot surrounded by their allies and other figures.
Bottom row: Sita, escorted by Vibhishana is carried in a palanquin at the presence of Rama and Lakshmana.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Chennakeshava Temple;Somapalem
Positioning: Open mandapa, ceiling
Date: 16th century
Description: Top row; Fragments of figures; Bottom row: Escorted by Vibhishana, Sita joins Rama, Lakshmana and their allies. The rest of the scene has disappeared.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Chennakeshava Temple;Somapalem
Positioning: Open mandapa, ceiling
Date: 16th century
Description: At the behest of the sage Vishvamitra, Rama kills Tataka. The figure of Lakshmana, immediately behind Rama, has disappeared.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Chennakeshava Temple;Somapalem
Positioning: Open mandapa, ceiling
Date: 16th century
Description: Sita, escorted by Vibhishana, is carried in a palanquin to be reunited with Rama and Lakshmana.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Chennakeshava Temple;Somapalem
Positioning: Open mandapa, ceiling
Date: 16th century
Description: Sita, escorted by Vibhishana meets Rama and Lakshmana.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Chennakeshava Temple;Somapalem
Positioning: Open mandapa, ceiling
Date: 16th century
Description: Top row: Rama, Lakshmana and Hanuman talking to Vibhishana(?); Bottom row: couple in a chariot, and fragments of other figures, among which a monkey and a bear.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Chennakeshava Temple;Somapalem
Positioning: Open mandapa, ceiling
Date: 17th century
Description: General view of the ceiling of the Ranga Vilasa mandapa.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Sr Ranganatha Temple complex;Srirangam
Positioning: Ceiling of the Ranga Vilasa mandapa
Date: 17th century
Description: From left to right: 1) Rama and Lakshmana kill Subahu and rout Maricha who pollute Vishvamitra’s sacrifice. 2) Ahalya is freed from her curse. Behind her is her husband, Gautama maharishi.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Sri Ranganatha Temple complex;Srirangam
Positioning: Ceiling of the Ranga Vilasa mandapa, west side
Date: 17th century
Description: Bottom row: Kausalya shares the miraculous sweetmeat with Kaikeyi and Sumitra; The three pregnant queens seated; The queens and an attendant with the four babies before Dasharatha. The princes practise archery. Top row (from left): Dasharatha, Vasishtha and yet another ascetic entrust Rama and Lakshmana to Vishvamitra; The sage and his charges on their way to the forest reach a river. Vishvamitra encourages Rama to kill Tataka.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Sri Ranganatha Temple complex;Srirangam
Positioning: Ceiling of the Ranga Vilasa mandapa, north side
Date: Paintings, 18th century
Description: From top to bottom 1) From right: Vishvamitra and his charges in the forest; The princes sleep under a tree; They resume their journey with their guru and meet a number of ascetics. 2) From left: They spend the night in the forest, cross a river and meet Tataka. 3) From right: Vishvamitra encourages Rama to fight and kill her; The gods praise Rama; 4) (from left); Vishvamitra and the boys in the forest; the gods descend to earth to praise Rama; Vishvamitra and his charges and a group of celestials, perhaps the personified magical weapons.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Tirugokarneshvara Brihadambal Temple;Pudukottai
Positioning: Entrance mandapa, ceiling, central bay
Date: Paintings, 18th century
Description: From top to bottom 1) From right: Vishvamitra and his charges meet some sages; They continue their journey and arrive at an ashram. 2) From left: two rishis; Rama and Lakshmana protect the ascetics’ yajna routing Maricha and killing Subahu; 3) From left: The yajna is completed the princes sleep; they bathe in a tank and listen to the discourses of Vishvamitra and of another sage. 4) From right: Vishvamitra, the princes and a number of rishis travel; the river Sone; the origin of the river Kaushiki (?).
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Tirugokarneshvara Brihadambal Temple;Pudukottai
Positioning: Entrance mandapa, ceiling, central bay
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