Photo 212/1(34)

Genre: Architectural Photography

Close view of sculptured pillar in the Pudu Mandapa of the Minakshi Sundareshvara Temple at Madurai, showing Hari-hara, or Shiva and Vishnu in a composite image. Lyon's 'Notes to accompany a series of photographs prepared to illustrate the ancient architecture of southern India' (Marion and Co., London, 1870), edited by James Fergusson, gives the following description of this photograph: '283 - shows the reverse of the same Pillar as No. 282. It represents Vishnu in combination with Shiva, in the form styled by the Brahmins, Heri Hari. On the right hand side of the figure is Shiva, with his emblems; on the left, Vishnu. Two cobras seem attached to the shoulders of the compound figure, as in the Persian myth of Zohak. This pillar is situated near the entrance at the west end. In this, as also in No. 280, is seen some trellis-work; this is at the side of the Sanukki or enclosed platform on which the god and goddess are seated at certain festivals. It stands within the western entrance of the porch, and occupies nearly the whole width of the nave. It is built of black granite, and twelve pillars of the same material, highly polished, support the roof or canopy, which is of wood. Two higher pillars of the same kind, still further within the porch, support a transom, from which curtains are hung to conceal the deities from vulgar gaze, while seated on their throne, when they come here for ten days every year. It was, in fact, to enable him to receive them as his guests that Trimul Nayak built this porch; their answer to his first invitation being that they could not leave the temple until he had built them a fitting abode.' Another copy at Photo 1000/29(2934).