Madhangeeswarar Temple,
Kanchipuram – Sculptures
Sculptures
in Mukha Mandapam:
The Mukha Mandapam of the
temple has six huge panels namely two Dvarapalas, Gaja Samhara Moorthy,
Ravana Anugraha Moorthy, Urdhava Thandava Moorthy and Gangadhara Moorthy.
Dvarapalas:
Huge relief sculptures of Dvarapalas can be found in two
panels on either side of the entrance.
Dvarapala on the right side of Sanctum:
This Dvarapala is four armed. His lower left arm is resting on mace, his upper left arm is raised to sky, his lower right arm hold Damaru and his upper right arm is holding a weapon. It is difficult to identify the weapon as it is completely eroded. A serpent can be seen intertwined in the mace. He is having a fierce look with large eyes, protruding teeth and flying hair.
Dvarapala on the left side of Sanctum:
This Dvarapala is also four armed. His lower right arm is resting on mace and his other arms were holding weapons. It is difficult to identify the weapons as it is completely eroded. A serpent can be seen intertwined in the mace. He is having a fierce look with large eyes, protruding teeth and flying hair. He has crescent moon on his head.
Ravana
Anugraha Moorthy:
The sculpture of Ravana Anugraha Moorthy can be seen in the panel on the south facing wall of the Mukha Mandapam. Ravana is depicted with ten arms and twenty arms. He is found lifting the Kailasha mountain. Lord Shiva is found seated on top of the mountain along with his consort Parvathy. Bhooda Ganas are seen approaching Ravana to attack him. Most of the intricate details are lost due to the erosion.
Gaja
Samhara Moorthy:
The sculpture of Gaja Samhara Moorthy can be seen in the other panel on the south facing wall of the Mukha Mandapam. Lord Shiva is six armed and is found dancing inside the skin of the slain elephant. Elephant face can be seen on Gangadhara the left side. On the right side, His consort, Parvathi is found watching in fear of this fierce aspect of Lord Shiva.
Urdhava
Thandava Moorthy:
The sculpture of Urdhava Thandava Moorthy can be seen in the panel on the north facing wall of the Mukha Mandapam. Lord Shiva is found with his right leg lifted straight up with his right leg near his right ear. He is found with eight arms. Bhooda Ganas can be seen playing flute and dancing along with Lord Shiva. Kali is also found dancing near his left leg.
Gangadhara
Moorthy:
The sculpture of Gangadhara Moorthy can be seen in the other panel on the north facing wall of the Mukha Mandapam. Lord Shiva is depicted with four arms. His lower left arm embraces Parvathy. Ganga, depicted in a female form, in Anjali posture is shown descending from the top left corner. Bhagiratha or Arjuna is depicted with a beard and top knot can be seen on the right side. A dog can be seen the upper right side of Lord Shiva.
Sculptures
on the outer walls:
There are several intricately carved sculptures can be seen on the outer walls of the sanctum and Mukha Mandapam. Kala Samhara Moorthy, Durga, Chandesa Anugraha Moorthy, Gangadhara Moorthy, Yoga Moorthy, Jalandhara Samhara Moorthy and Lingodbhava are some of the notable sculptures found on the outer walls. There are totally six sculptures of soldiers riding vyalas found on the corners of these outer walls. Sculptures of Elephant can be seen at each lower corner of the outer wall.
