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Feb 26 • 6 tweets • 2 min read
THREAD
Nrityarata Ganesha/ Natya Ganesha small sculpted murthy at Amruteshvara Temple, Amrutapura, Karnataka.
In Sanskrit, the dancing Ganesha is called Nritta Ganapati, emphasizing on the dancing aspect of his form. ↓
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And, indeed there are many forms of Nritta Ganapati that one may witness in India. As Ganesha is a remover of obstacles, it is customary that he is revered first in all classical dances. Although he originates from the Saivaite pantheon, being the son of Shiva,
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he is revered at the start of Bhagavatha Mela and Kuchipudi performances that have predominant Vishnu or Krishna based themes.

Nritta Ganapati also appears in the compilation of God’s images by the King of Mysore in the 19th century. This compilation called Sri Tattvanidhi
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lists the various forms of Hindu gods who are worshipped more frequently in the erstwhile Mysore state. There is also an interesting story about Nrtta Ganapathi. Ganesha once bumped into Lord Brahma on his way and this shocked Brahma and made him angry. He threatened Ganesha.
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In order to please Brahma Ganesha started dancing. Inspite of Ganesha’shuge body, big belly his dance evoked grace and seeing his swift movements Brahma was pacified, forgave this incident and declared that Ganesha as the master of dance.
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Thus, dancers even though depict Ganesha in abhinaya as a pot-bellied and as a dwarf; they are instructed to dance with grace and firm spine while dancing about Ganesha. This will not lead the audience to nitpick on the anatomy of Ganesha.

🙏🏼

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More from @temple_of_India

Indian Temple & Architecture™ Profile picture
Feb 28
THREAD
The sculpted stony scene unveils the great devotee of Mahadev, Bhakta Bedara Kannappa at Hampi, Karnataka.

Let's see the story and history behind this. 😍🙏🏼↓

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Dinna was a staunch devotee of the Vayu linga of SriKalahasti which he found in the forest while hunting. Being a hunter, he did not know how to properly worship Lord Shiva. It is said that he poured water from his mouth on the Shiva lingam which he brought from the nearby
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river Swarnamukhi. He also offered Lord Shiva whatever animal he hunted, including swine flesh. But Lord Shiva accepted his offerings since Dhinnan was pure at heart and his devotion was true. Once, Lord Shiva tested the unshakable devotion of Dinna. With his divine power,
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Read 8 tweets
Indian Temple & Architecture™ Profile picture
Feb 28
THREAD
Battle between Sri Krishna and Devaraj Indra for the tree of Parijata flower is depicted beautifully here on the walls of Hoysaleswara temple, Halebeedu.
😍🙏🏼↓

(Description of this scene is given below)
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Here, Sri Krishna is flying while sitting on the broad shoulders of Garuda. Maa Satyabhama can be seen at the left side of him. Sri Krishna has four hands, holding Shankha, Chakra, Mace, Lotus & holding Satyabhama. Garuda is holding a beautifully carved Parijata tree trunk
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in his left hand while holding a weapon in his right hand, attacking Indra.
The sculptor has shown the leaves, branches, and flowers of the Parijata tree very elegantly. Looking closely enough, you can see a bird, eating a fruit on a tree as well. Under the tree trunk,
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Read 5 tweets
Indian Temple & Architecture™ Profile picture
Feb 27
THREAD
This sculptural scene depicts Lakshmi-Narayana, a form of Sri Vishnu with his consort Maa Lakshmi on his lap, riding his Vahana, Garuda. It is carved on a pillar near the south side entrance of the Belur Chennakeshava Temple in Karnataka. 😍🙏🏼↓

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Lakshminarayana is a combination of two names, Lakshmi and Narayana. Narayana is another name of Vishnu, and it means one who dwells on the water. In Sanskrit, Nara means water and Ayana means dwelling. According to Hindu history, Vishnu lives on the cosmic ocean.↓
As we can see from the image, Both are wearing elegant dresses and beautiful jewelry on their bodies. A small male figure with the wings below them is Garuda. Carved on the base of this sculpture is the Kirthimukha monster, sometimes known as a Kaala (Time Monster).↓
Read 5 tweets
Indian Temple & Architecture™ Profile picture
Feb 26
Gajarusra Vadh by Mahadev; sculpted stone murty on the wall of Chennakeshava Temple, Belur, Karnataka. 😍🙏🏼

Let's see the history behind this ↓

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"The demon Gajasura (also knows as Nila ) was a friend of Andhaka's. Nila took the form of an elephant and attacked Shiva, but was killed by one of Shiva's attendants. Two representations of Shiva from this battle, often combined, are Shiva Andhakasuravadha (impaling Andhaka)
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and Shiva Gajasamharara (dancing on Nila's decapitated head or underneath his butchered skin).

Gajaharamurti is said to have been sent by sages of Darukavana to kill Siva for seducing their wives as Bhikshatana. Siva killed the elephant and opened his head.
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Read 10 tweets
Indian Temple & Architecture™ Profile picture
Feb 25
THREAD
Ravana Lifting the Kailash Mountain

As per Ramayana, Ravana astride his aerial vehicle, Pushpaka was traversing through the sky. While passing through the Himalayas the aerial vehicle suddenly lost control and was brought down. Image
Ravana was soon approached by Shiva Ganas who told him that no one is allowed to enter this domain as it was the abode of Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Ravana lost his cool and came down the aerial vehicle and told Nandi, divine bull vehicle of Shiva, that no one in the
universe has the power to stop him. Puffed up with pride the demon king decided to teach Shiva a lesson.

He reached the foot of Mount Kailash and inserted his powerful arms and began to shake the abode of Shiva violently. A smiling Shiva simply put a toe on the mountain.
Read 5 tweets
Indian Temple & Architecture™ Profile picture
Feb 14
Thread on the Excavation in Odisha;

The ruined ancient temples towards the north-east flanks of the Suka Sari shrine are being excavated by the Archeological Survey of India.The ancient Vishnu Murthy was found 7days before (from today) during the excavation of another shrine.
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The structure is believed to be of 7th century.
Another structure of the Entrance towards the Garbha-griha (Sanctum) of a temple was found where 3 lattice windows are unearthed till now and I saw that it's a ditto of Parshurameshwara Temple. A measure thing I noticed is the
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sitting sculpture of Maa Uma & Maheswar which is quite similar to the Murthy in Parshurameshwara Temple wall (Left side of the temple's face) The experts assume that this temple was constructed much before the Suka Sari Temple (13th-14th century) and Shree Lingaraj Temple
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Read 5 tweets

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