MAHISHASURAMARDHINI MANDAPAM
This is a rock cut
care temple. This mandapam very well depicts the fantastic craftsmanship
of the pallavas. It consists of three small shrives in the inner wall
which is exactly the typical pattern of the pallava art and architecture.
On the northern wall, the battle between goddess Durga and the buffalo
– headed demon, Mahishasura is beautifully inscribed Mahishasura
symbolizes animal strength, ignorance and egoism to go with. Every gods
and celestial beings depended upon Mahishasura. In the course of time,
Mahishasura became more frightful. Devi Mahaturya while describing his
power refers that when be ran the earth broke to pieces and the swing
of the tail made the ocean water spread everywhere. Then the tyranny of
Mahishasura was destroyed by the three supreme lords, Lord Vishnu, Lord
Brahma and Lord Shiva, in the form of goddess. Many poets have sung in
praise of this perfect portrayal especially by Heinrich Zimmer.
Apart from this there is a fine sculpture of somaskanda, and on the southern wall the sculpture of Lord Vishnu in repose on his sever hooded cobra couch “Adisesha”, Lord shiva as somaskanda is shown with four hands. The upper hands are shown holding a snake in one hand and a beaded chain on the other, while his lower hands performing abhaya and yoga mundras. Goddess parvati is seated besides him holding a little Skanda on her lap and a Nandi Bull is found beneath. Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu are picturized in the background representing the power, wisdom and peace symbolically the sculptures on the western and southern walls relate the episodes from Devi Mahaturya, the celebrated Sanskrit poem which is recites and sung by the followers of tantric school. The prelude is about the destruction of the two demons Madhu and Kaitabha, who are known for their power and strength. The story goes on to an end as to how these demons were deterged by yoga Maya through Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu kills these demons by slaying their heads with his discuss.
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