Prasat Banteay Srei 3, Siem Reap

Next we move to the innermost enclosure or make our way through the eastern gopura I.

Figure 1

The ornate carving on tympanum (#A above in Figure 1) depicts Shiva doing Ananda Tandava (आनंदताण्डव).
A perfect bas relief on pediment for entering a Shiva temple in the central tower.

Lord Shiva on a pediment just before entering the innermost enclosure

Kaal mukh and garuda on the side panel

Shiva doing Ananda tandava

In this form Shiva dances  with enjoyment in contrast to Rudra tandava where he dances in a violent mood. Ananada tandava, where he dances with joy.

Tandava is a dance form by Shiva. That is why Shiva is also considered as the master of dancers, Nataraja. Nataraja means the King of dancers.

The pediment on gopuram on the eastern side shows Shiva (#1) in Nataraj or the dancing pose. A drummer is seen below (#2). On to the left is his disciple, Karaikal Ammaiyar(#3).

Karaikal Ammaiyar was one of the only three lady saints who propounded the worship of Shiva during the Bhakti Movement. The tradition of placing Karaikal Ammaiyar has been observed in some Shiva temples in India built during the Chola empire which reached its zenith during 10th to 12th century. That means this concept influenced the architecture of Banteay Srie.

on lintel is a headless form

Goddess Durga as Mahishasur Mardini:
The tympanum on opposite side of gopura I (#B indicated in Figure 1 above) on western side (opposite tympanum #A) shows the slaying of demon Mahishasur by Goddess Durga. The lintel depicts God Hayagriva slaying two demons Madhu and Kaitabh. This can also be viewed from inside the central sanctuary towards east.

Mahishasur -- Mahisha (महिश): a buffalo, asur(असुर): demon with body of a buffalo
So, Mahishasur means demon with body of a buffalo.

Mahishasur wanted to wage war against the devtas (gods) and for that he performed severe penance and asked Lord Brahma for the boon of immortality. Brahma said immortality was not possible but he would be killed by a woman.
Mahishasur scoffed but was relieved, as being killed by a woman was next to impossible since there was no one who could match his strength. He started his atrocities against the devas, as they are the enemies of asurs.
When his atrocities became too much, the devtas went to the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) and asked to be relieved of Mahishasur. The trinity combined their energies and gave rise to a woman, Durga who came on her mount, lion, and slayed Mahishasur.

Goddess Durga is depicted with eight arms which is clearly seen in the above picture. The arms hold various weapons.The hind portion of the slayed asur in the form of a buffalo can be seen where the arrow points. Lion, her mount is seen on the side.

On the lintel is Hayagriva, an incarnation of Vishnu who killed demons Madhu and Kaitabh who wanted to steal Vedas from Brahma.

contd. to Prasat Banteay Srie 4, Siem Reap

Candi Shiva, Prambanan temple

This post is in continuation of  Candi Prambanan, Yogyakarta . The post was getting too long so I have split it in parts. Since, Prambanan is primarily a Shiva temple, I shall focus on the Shiva temple in this post.

Ruins of Shiv temple

 Shiva statue

This 37x37x47 meter east facing temple is the highest and biggest temple in the Prambanan complex. This is also the only structure which has entrances in the 4 cardinal directions and also houses 3 other small temples.

entrance to Shiva temple

The "Prambanan panel" with Kinnars at entrance. I have written in detail about this in my earlier post,  Candi Prambanan, Yogyakarta

Makars on either side of entrance

Shiv temple, other entrance

One doorway with an ascetic meditating under Kaal

Kaal at one of the entrances of Shiva temple

Before you reach the main sanctum sanctorum or the garbhgriha (गर्भगृह) or the chamber which houses the main deity, turn to the left. The balustrade and walls are adorned with reliefs from Ramayana, the story about Lord Rama and his wife Sita. It is absolutely impossible to put all the pictures in this post. I am uploading just a few of them.

Rama goes into exile with his wife, Sita and brother Lakshman

Hanuman burning Lanka with his tail

 Sita sitting in Ashoka Vatika on the right side 

fight between Bali and Sugreev

Rama kills Bali

Making bridge (Setu) to cross the Indian Ocean to reach Lanka

Apart from these, there are Lokpalas, or celestial guardians of the eight directions.

One of them is Kuber (in the picture above) who is associated with the planet Venus.  Kuber is the god of wealth guarded by fierce looking dwarpaal or guardians.

Reliefs on the temple wall

The main chamber :
A 3 meter high, 4- armed Shiv, or Siwa as he is known in Indonesia, stands on a lotus over a yoni supported by a naag (serpent), on the north side of pedestal.

It is very dark inside and taking a picture was a daunting task.

He has a crecent moon on his head (Chandrakapala), a crown of tousled hair ( jatamukuta), third eye on his forehead (trinetra). He holds prayer beads (aksamala),  a trident (trishul).

   Shiva standing on a lotus                                      Shiva yoni supported by a Naag head

Shiv's standing on a lotus is considered as the intermingling of Hinduism and Buddhism.

Some historians believe that Lord Shiva is a depiction of King Balitung. 

This practice of personification of King in a God or Devraaja has been common practice in South-East Asia.

In Angkor Wat, the huge Vishnu is said to be King Jayavarman VII.

Rishi or Sage Agatsya:

Moving in a clockwise direction from Shiva chamber is the temple of 
Sage Agatsya.

Sage Agastya

He was the teacher of Lord Shiva. He holds prayer beads in one hand and kamandal in the other. Kamandal is an oblong pot made of dried gourd or coconut shell used mainly by Hindu ascetics.

Lord Ganesha:
Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati is seen sitting on a lotus in the west chamber.

Lord Ganesha

He is the obstacle remover and full of wisdom. Here at the temple, the trunk is turned towards the left and into a bowl of sweets. This means that worshipping him will provide us material prosperity.

Durga as Mahisasurmardini:
Moving further towards North is goddess Durga depicted as Mahishasurmardini or the slayer of the demon Mahisasur. The 8-armed deity holds a weapon in each arm which were given to her by gods to slay the demon.

It is said that there is a likeness between the Rakai Pikatan's wife Pramodhawardhani and the deity Durga. Pramodhawardhani later got Candi Plaosan constructed which is just a few kilometers away from this temple.

Goddess Durga

Lord Vishnu gave his Sudarshan Chakra, Shiva gave her his trident (trishul), Indra gave his thunderbolt (vajra). Other than this she holds a conch, bow and arrow, sword, lotus. In the top right hand, she does not hold anything and blesses her devotees.

Mahisasur was both a buffalo and a demon, that is why in the above picture you see Durga's victory over the buffalo by standing on top of him and that of demon by holding him by his hair.

Nandi temple or Candi Nandi:

How can Nandi not be present where his master is? Nandi is not only the mount of Shiva but also his ardent devotee. He sits outside the temple waiting for his master's orders.

Candi Nandi facing Shiva temple

The retoration of this temple was completed  in 2009 afterit was damaged by an earthquake in 2006. Behind Candi Nandi, you can a Kelir temple. This west facing temple is 15x15 square meters and is 25 meters high.
The panel at the base of the temple are clearly visible.

Nandi

The single chamber is occupied by a huge monolith sitting Nandi.

Nandi sits inside the temple with Chandra (moon)  and Surya (sun) at the back

Behind Nandi, there are two idols. On the right side is Chandra and to the left of Nandi is Surya.

Chandra, the Moon god stands on a carriage pulled by 10 horses. He holds special significance as Lord Shiva holds moon or Chandra on his head.

Surya or the Sun god also stands on a carriage drawn by 7 horses. He holds a lotus in his hands.

reliefs on outside temple wall

more reliefs

After coming down, I turn to the temple of Vishnu and then go to the right of Shiva temple to see the Brahma temple.

I continue to next post on Candi Vishnu and Candi Brahma, Candi Vishnu and Candi Brahma, Prambanan temple