Home > Sites > Palampet > Mandapa Ceiling

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Mandapa Ceiling An elaborate sculptural programme, one of the most remarkable in all of South India, fills the interior of the mandapam. Four massive, intricately carved and polished pillars stand at the centre of the hall, each divided into several sections filled with sculpture. Square panels, at the base and top have dieties, mithuna, musicians, a samudra manthan panel, composite dancers, and a vastraharan scene. Polygonal sections in centre have devahamsa and rudraksha patterns, while the scroll capitals have Yali and Apsara brackets. Above the pillars is an ornate ceiling at the centre of which is a Nataraja image surrounded by layers of lotus petals. This is surrounded by eight triangular Ashtadikapala panels. Framing the centre are wide projections with sculpture panels on each of the three surfaces, scenes from the Siva Purana. Seen here Siva in Tripurantakamurti, rides a horse-drawn chariot, surrounded by Brahma, Vishnu, and Ganesa. Other panels include the marriage of Shiva and Parvati and the Samudra Manthan scene (west), Amrita-Daan, Tripurasura Samhara and Narakasura Samhara (south), Daksha Yajna (east), and Gajakasura Samhara and Vishvamitra (north).

Sanctuary Wall

Sculpture Panels

Sabhamandapa Interior

Subsidiary Shrine

Vimanam and Eave

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Photos and Text © Amit Guha

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