Gangaikonda Cholapuram - Bronzes
There are few bronzes of remarkable beauty preserved in
the temple. They were probably gifted for worship when the temple was erected.
Of the classical bronzes in the collection, Somaskanda, Subrahmanya, Durga,
Bhogasakti, Adhikaranandi and probably Vrishabhantika are to be assigned to the
period of Rajendra I.
Bhogasakti
A two armed standing image of Parvati of arresting
beauty is now placed near the sanctum.
Durga
Four armed standing figure in erect (samabhanga) pose;
holds discus and conch in the upper arms and boon-bestowing and hand-on-thigh
poses in the lower arms. The Goddess is shown wearing a breast-band; buffalo
head is not represented below the feet. Appropriate with its role the figure
displays firmness with which the Goddess struck the demon. The conch and discus
are supported by metal pieces issuing from the back.
Adhikaranandi
Four armed figure in abhaya pose, standing on a lotus
pedestal. The upper pair of arms holds axe and antelope; the lower arms in
anjali pose hold a garland of flower in between. This image is particularly a
good specimen representing the theme.
Somaskanda
Quite fitting with the great Linga in the sanctum and
the mahaprasada of the temple, the group of Somaskanda in the temple is fairly
big in size and exhibits all the classical qualities of the Chola age. The
group consists of Siva seated majestically on a pedestal with four arms. A two
armed Devi is shown by the side.
The original Skanda image is missing. The figures of
Siva and Devi closely resemble the sculptures on the lower niches of the main Vimana.
The group could be assigned to the period of Rajendra I and was probably the
principal Somaskanda image of the temple. It may be mentioned that the bronze
image of Somaskanda is the main processional deity, representing the Linga in
the sanctum.
The Somaskanda image of Thiruvarur is called Vidi
Vitankar and the one at Thanjavur was called Dakshinameru Vitankar. The Vimana
of Thanjavur temple was called Dakshinameru by its builder Rajaraja I. The
group of Somaskanda in the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple should have been the
main processional deity of the temple. This is the biggest group of Somaskanda
image of the imperial Chola period now known to exist.
Shubramanya
By far the best bronze in the collection of the temple
is the Subrahmanya image variously called Karthikeya, Devasenpathi and Muruga.
The image about 3 1/2' in height it’s shown with four arms standing on a lotus
seat. Unlike the conventional lotus pedestals seen in most of the bronze
images, the present one is realistically treated.
The protrusion at the bottom was probably to slide the
image into a bigger pedestal which is now missing. The right upper arm holds
sakti, the top of which is broken, the lower right holds a sword of which only
the handle now remains, the blade is lost; the left upper arm holds a cock and
the lower left holds a shield. The figure is elegantly proportioned and
delightfully adorned with ornaments.
The vigorous poise and the charming smiling face are
suggestive of youth and beauty. Subrahmanya as Muruga is adored as the
embodiment of youth, beauty and knowledge. Muruga is the darling of the Tamil
country. His exploits are celebrated in Tamil literature; Subrahmanya is a War
God, Devasenpathi the greatest commander-in-chief of the celestials.
Rajendra I was the greatest commander, the Tamil country
ever saw. It is of interest to note that this great hero has chosen Subrahmanya
as his favourite deity. The sword, sakti, and the shield in the hands of the
image symbolize Subrahmanya martial quality while the cock stands for the final
victory.
Vrshavahana
Four armed image of Siva standing cross legged. The
lower right arm is bent and placed on the head of a bull which is missing. The
tall head dress, a Jatamukuta is somewhat disproportionate.