An antique lamp, believed to be from the 15th century, with very rare Shaiva and Vaishnavaite sculptures has been found in the Anantapadmanabha temple at Perduru in Udupi district of Karnataka.
“It is a rare blend of Shiva and Vishnu, and reflects the daily rituals of both the cults in the temple,” said T. Murugeshi, a retired Associate Professor of ancient history and archaeology, Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty College, Shirva, Udupi district.
The lamp was donated by Basavannaras Banga to the temple in 1,456 A.D. This is mentioned in a stone inscription, which is in the inner prakara of the temple.
“With this epigraphical reference, it is very clear that the lamp belongs to the 15th century,” the historian said on June 24.
Two faces
“This single piece of lamp has two faces, and has narrative sculptures of a Puranic story. In the first face, Lord Shiva is seen in dancing pose as Nataraja with four hands. On his left is a drummer beating the drum. On the drummer’s left is Parvati seated on a bull, and Ganapati on his vehicle (rat) are seen. On the right side of Nataraja, the Bringi playing tala and on his right Khadga Ravana seated on woman (Goddess Mari) standing in Vismayamudre are seen. Khadga Ravana has four hands in his front right hand. He holds a sword, and, in his right back hand, he holds a plough. In his front left hand, Khadga Ravana holds kapala, and in back hand with leaning left, he holds the head. On his right, Kumara is shown seated on peacock,” the historian said.
“This depiction very clearly narrates the story of Pralya Tandava (destructive dance) of Lord Shiva,” Mr. Murugeshi said.
“On the second face of the lamp, from right side, Brahma is shown holding a sacred book in his left hand, and right hand is in abhaya mudra. Next is Indra holding vajra in his left hand, but the content of his right hand is not clear. At the centre, Anantapadmanabha is standing with four hands. Very interestingly, he holds Uddarane (a spoon) in his front hands. In his right back hand is seen shanka (conch), and the left hand is missing. On his left, Agni holds fire in his right hand, and lastly Varuna holding shanka (conch) in his left hand,” he said.
Different headgear
“All five figures are seen in ‘Samabhanga’ pose and have different headgear. It narrates that the gods, out of fear (because of destructive dance of Lord Shiva), went to Vaikunta, the abode of Narayana, and prayed for protection of the three worlds. The Lord Anantapadmanabha, who is the protector of the three worlds, makes Lord Shiva calm. At the centre of the round base of the lamp, Garuda is seen in standing pose. At the back, Lord Shiva is seen seated in Anjalimudre in calm and peaceful posture, and prays to Lord Anantapadmanabha,” Mr. Murugeshi said.
The Khadga Ravana seated on the shoulders of Mari is very interesting. This deity, even today, is worshipped as a powerful daiva in the outer prakara of the temple,” Mr. Murugeshi said.
Published – June 24, 2025 12:24 pm IST
