Festival
Historical background
Depictions of festivals and the various concomitant rituals provide an invaluable source of information. Many of the present-days festivals bear a strong resemblance to those depicted in the murals.
Date: 17th century
Description: Markali celebrations (December/January): Preceded by fireworks, the images of the deities seated on an elephant are paraded on a chariot.
Location: Tamil NaduTemple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, northernmost bay (W)
Date: 17th century
Description: Markali (December/January) celebrations The images of Nataraja and Shivakami on chariots, accompanied by crowds of devotees, insignia- and torch-bearers.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari temple; open mandapa, northernmost bay (W)
Date: First half of the 19th century
Description: Top row (from left): Rama wins Sita’s hand; Rama and Sita’s wedding; Arjuna shoots the matsya yantra (revolving fish target), thus winning Draupadi’s hand.
Central row: Battle scenes involving chariots drawn by horses, bullocks and elephants, and infantry armed with muskets. Bottom row (from left): Krishna steals the clothes of the gopis; The Vidyaranya is taken in procession to the Virupaksha temple.
Location: Karnataka Temple;Virupaksha Temple;Hampi
Positioning: Open mandapa, ceiling, sixth, seventh and eighth row from west
Date: Paintings: 17th century
Description: Temple festival procession.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Vaidyanatha Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Mahamandapa ceiling: sculptural frieze
Date: Paintings: 17th century
Description: Temple festival procession.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Vaidyanatha Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Mahamandapa ceiling, east of the sculptural frieze
Date: 17th century
Description: Top row; Ahalya is freed from her curse; Rama and Lakshmana discuss with Vishvamitra and another ascetic. Bottom row: The mock battle between Manmatha and Rati mounted on chariots and their followers riding on parrots and swans. At both ends of the tableau, two ladies carry Manmatha’s makara-shaped insignia.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Sri Ranganatha Temple complex;Srirangam
Positioning: Ceiling of the Ranga Vilasa mandapa, west side
Date: 17th century
Description: Top row: The courtesans seduce Rishyashringa and carry him to the kingdom of Anga; Rishyashringa performs the putrakameshti yajna (ritual to beget a son) on behalf of King Dasharatha. Vasishtha is shown near Rishyashringa, and Sumantra near the King. Bottom row; The mock battle between Manmatha riding a parrot, and Rati on a swan and their followers mounted on different birds shooting flower arrows at one another.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Sri Ranganatha Temple;Srirangam
Positioning: Ceiling of the Ranga Vilasa mandapa, east side
Date: 17th century
Description: Top row: The courtesans carry Rishyashringa to the Anga kingdom; Rishyashringa and Vasishtha perform the putrakameshti yajna (ritual to obtain a son) on behalf of king Dasharatha. Sumantra, Dasharatha’s minister, watches the ritual. On the extreme right, the king gives a portion of the miraculous sweet to Kausalya. Bottom row: Manmatha mounted on a parrot, and his followers riding of various birds, aim flowery arrows at Rati and her companions.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Sri Ranganatha Temple complex;Srirangam
Positioning: Ceiling of the Ranga Vilasa mandapa, east side
Date: Paintings, late 20th century
Description: 108 Srivaishvana divyadeshams. 1) Sri Syamalameni Perumal of Tirukkannangudi, standing. On the left are: Aravindavalli Nacchiyar and Yaruguna (?) Satiyar, on the right: Kelatamar (?); 2) Sri Selantararajaperumal (Sundararaja Perumal) of Tirunagai (Nagapattinam) standing, on the left are Selantaravalli (Sundaryavalli) Thayar and Shesha, on the right Tirumangai alvar; 3) Sri Vayalali Manavalan, of Tiruvali/Tirunagari seated flanked by his consorts, on the left, Nikanjaprajapati. In the upper left corner is Amritaghatavalli Nacchiyar and in the right corner: deities worshipping Vishnu during the Vedupari festival and Ahatani pushkarini (tank).
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Andal Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Inner prakara, west wall
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
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