Photo 1000/3(344)

Genre: Architectural Photography

Photograph listed, but not included as an illustration, in James Burgess, 'Report of the First Season's Operations in the Belgam and Kaladgi Districts. January to May 1874' (Archaeological Survey of Western India, vol. 1, India Museum, London, 1874), p. 45. The figure is described on p. 39 of the report: 'On the other side of the entrance to the shrine, in the east corner, are a pair of figures. They are dressed nearly alike, both have the chain depending to the feet; Siva or Hara has only two arms, with the right holding his trisula, round the head of which twines a cobra, - but the shaft, as well as his left hand, has been broken within a few years back. The other figure has four hands (as Vishnu is often represented); in the right he holds up a cobra and a small rosary, and in of the left his sankha or war conch; he has a crescent on the right side of his mugut, of which the sides differ so markedly as, with the third eye in the forehead, to indicate that was intended for Harihara, the conjoint form of Siva and Vishnu. Between the figures another cobra twines round the head of what may be intended for an ensign. Below are four musical gana. These last three groups were photographed, but owing to the want of light, and the intense dry heat, the negatives are very thin.'

India Museum No. 1679.

With original 8½"x6½" glass negative. Negative stored in Neg. Box 204.