Trip to Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu on December 5, 2007
Kotikkal Mandapam
This must be an early mandapam –
the pillars are plain (Mahendra type), the roof is also plain without any
ornamentation and there is no deity in the garbagriham, not even a relief
panel on the rear wall and the dwara palikas are front facing. (The dwarapalakas
in the mandapams of later origin have been represented in three-fourth
profile. The dwarapalika on the left is resting her left arm on a
club & is holding a raised sword in her right hand. The dwarapalika
on the right is holding a bow in her right hand and her left hand rests
on her hip. Koti means Durga in Tamil and also the gate keepers are two
elegant women, so this could have been a shrine to Durga.
Kotikkal Mandapam, Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu
Kotikkal Mandapam, Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu
Mahendra type pillars with plain roof
Kotikkal Mandapam, Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu
Dwarapalikas
Kotikkal Mandapam, Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu
Dwarapalika on the left
Kotikkal Mandapam, Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu
Dwarapalika on the right
Dr.Swaminathan, retired professor from IIT Delhi had organized a trip
to Mahabalipuram to understand and appreciate better the great art
treasures gifted to us by the Pallavas.
We visited only a few mandapams and caves, but at every spot
Mr.Swaminathan shared with us details such as - the Pallava kings who
had contributed, the structural variations / refinement that can be
observed in the structures belonging to different periods. And sadly,
also the vandalism - mostly broken noses, attempt to project a Siva
temple as a Vishnu temple or vice versa and also an attempt by the kings
to take credit without contributing. Since several Pallava rulers seem
to have shared the same titles, that further adds to the confusion.
Mr.Swaminathan first gave a general introduction to the temple
architecture and sculpture - the different styles of rock architecture
seen at Mahabalipuram - the monoliths, cave mandapams, structural
temple, bas relief.
|
