[ Image courtesy: Brig A.P. Singh - www.collectingmoments.in ] Parapet wall carving - Ramayana sequences from left to right. If you zoom into the parapet wall, you can see the sequences where Rama meets Sugreeva and Hanuman. The one image which is clearer is where Rama is shooting through seven trees with one arrow to prove his prowess to Sugreeva. The pact is, if Rama defeats Sugreeva's brother Vali, then Sugreeva would lend his army of monkeys to fight Ravana who has abducted Seeta.
[ Image courtesy: Brig A.P. Singh - www.collectingmoments.in ] The iconography of the carved reliefs is unknown. We can recognise Lord Brahma seated on a swan fighting an elephant which could be Indra's mount Airavatha.
(2) There is a burning forest and this is the episode where the Khandava forest is burnt by Arjuna and Krishna in order to help Agni.
[ Image courtesy: Brig A.P. Singh - www.collectingmoments.in ] If you zoom in to see the carvings on the parapet wall, it is a sequence of episodes from Krishna's childhood.
[ Image courtesy: Brig A.P. Singh - www.collectingmoments.in ] Parapet wall carving - Ramayana sequences from left to right. (1)Rama meets Sugreeva with his monkey army (2) Sugreeva hands him the ornaments Seeta has thrown down while Raana abducts her (3) Rama shoots through seven trees with one arrow to prove his prowess to Sugreeva. (4) Rama shoots an arrow from behind on Vali while Vali and Sugreeva fight (5) Sugreeva is coronated as the King of Kishkindha (6) Rama blesses Anagada or Hanuman (unclear) (7) Sugreeva's monkey army builds a stone bridge to Lanka with (8) Ravana's brother Vibheeshana approaches Rama for truce.
Nandi (bull) is Lord Shiva's vahana (mount) and companion. In Hindu scriptures, Nandi is the bearer of truth and righteousness. Each Hindu god has their own vahana (the Sanskrit root word for the English term of Wagon) that they use in war or in peacetime. Each of these vehicles stand for specific qualities that are consistent with the deity’s image and functions. Nandi signifies strength, load bearing capacity and virility.
Image courtesy: Brig A.P. Singh - www.collectingmoments.in
The open mantapa with its unique black pillars which support the ceiling. The polished finish could only be achieved by a lathe-type of machine.
Image courtesy: Brig A.P. Singh - www.collectingmoments.in
The open mantapa with its unique black pillars which support the ceiling. The polished finish could only be achieved by a lathe-type of machine.
Image courtesy: Brig A.P. Singh - www.collectingmoments.in