SHIVA AND PARVATI ON GAURIPATTA
Description
The image is intended for a regular ceremonial ritual of the worship of Shiva-Parvati and family. The rectangular Gauripatta, the receptacle on which the image has been installed has an outlet to drain out the ablution water. As daily ablutions are implied, the image must have been made for the main shrine of a small temple.
Shiva and Parvati are standing side by side, passing an arm on each other’s shoulder in an embrace. Shiva’s face is carved in three-quarter profile as he looks at the face of Parvati. Out of the other three hands, his two upper arms hold the trident and the damaru, while his lower right hand holds an akshamala. Parvati holds a lotus in her left hand. Richly ornamented figures, with beautiful jatabhara of Shiva and coiffure of Parvati, make them appear like a royal couple. The family is completed by a miniature Ganapati and Kumara seated on his mount peacock, on either side at the bottom of the parikara.
Shiva’s mount Nandi and Ganesha’s vehicle, the mushaka, are carved in front of the pedestal. This is a simplification of the earlier lotus pedestals which now take the shape of an ordinary furniture. This kind of pedestal however, became popular in Karnataka and Maharashtra.
The Kanarese inscription on the pedestal states that the image was a gift of Revakabbarasi, the wife of Vavanarasa, a feudatory of the western Chalukya king Jayasimha II (1015–42 CE).
Collection
Sculptures
Object Type
Sculpture
Material
Dolerite
Schools/Culture/Period
--
Technique
--
Date
11th century CE
Location
Karnataka
Dimension
113 x 93 x 49 cms.