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).↓
Kirthimukha is also at the top of the relief.
Photo Courtesy- Rajeev Vuttharahdlli.

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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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Feb 28
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Battle between Sri Krishna and Devaraj Indra for the tree of Parijata flower is depicted beautifully here on the walls of Hoysaleswara temple, Halebeedu.
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(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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Feb 26
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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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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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Feb 25
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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
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Feb 14
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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.
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