Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam – Fresco & Mural
Paintings
The
walls of the Temple complex are painted with exquisite paintings using herbal
and vegetable dyes. They speak volumes about the culture and tradition followed
at those times. The figures of gods and Goddesses tell us stories and teach us
morals. The high end technologies used in these paintings ensured a long life
for these paintings and poses a tough challenge to reproduce them in these
modern days.
The idol
of the main deity is unique that it is not made of granite as in many temples,
but Stucco (a unique combination of lime, mortar and stones bound together by a
special paste (Thailam), made of musk, camphor, honey, Jaggery and sandal).
Paintings
of Nayak and Marathas are found in the temple of Srirangam. The innermost
circumambulatory passage in the Srirangam temple consists of paintings
depicting scenes from the epics.
Paintings
found in the ceiling and front mandapam which date back to the
17th century depict scenes of Bhagavat Purana. The features of the
paintings are very sharp; figures are geometric and perfectly symmetric painted
on walls, floors and ceilings.
The
inner-most enclosure is the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Ranganatha. It is
square inside, but circular outside. On the upper parts of the walls are
paintings that are about 300 years old.
