#Devī Mahiśāsuramardini

[kailasanath]

Daśabhuja Devī Durgā Mahiśāsuramardini

The Goddess Durgā, slayer of the buffalo demon.

A magnificent and highly ornate sculpture of the mother goddess in her – daśabhuja – ten-armed form, from the Hoysala Era.  The goddess is depicted in an unusually wrathful aspect – stabbing the demon Mahiśa with her trident while smiting one of his demon soldiers with her sword. Unusually for this form, her vahana, siṁha, the lion is not depicted. Also unusual in the monstrous buffalo is not shown decapitated as is the convention.

In contrast to this savage butchery the goddess’ face is calm and unperturbed.

Soapstone, circa 12th Century CE, Mysore region

Victoria and Albert Museum

[kailasanath]

Shore Temple

Built circa 700 – 728 CE in the reign of King Narasimhavarman II of the Pallava dynasty, the shore temple is one of the oldest yet finest examples of Pallava architecture. The temple is in fact a composite of three shrines, two dedicated to Lord Śiva and one to Śrī Viṣṇu. The granite Śivaliñga is partially damaged but the images of Śiva Umāsahita and a reclining Śrī Viṣṇu are still reasonably intact.

In its original form the temple was adorned with exquisitely carved sculptures – including one of Devī Mahiśāsuramardini Durgā – now sadly eroded.

Mamallapuram, near Chennai