Image title: Figure 226: Reclining Vishnu

[original] Viṣṇu couché attaqué par les démons Madhu et Kaiṭabha, façade nord du sanctuaire, au-dessus de la cella no 7, Kailāsanātha, Kāñcipuram (cliché V. Gillet, 2008)

[transcription] Reclining Vishnu attacked by the demons Madhu and Kaitabha, north facade of the sanctuary, above cella no. 7 , Kailasanatha, Kancipuram (photo V. Gillet, 2008)

Gallery information:

These plates originate from the book The Creation of an Iconography as based on Shaivite narrative (original title: “La création d'une iconographie sivaïte narrative”) which details the sculptures and construction temples of the Pallava dynasty (in the Tamil-speaking Southern India) near the end of the 7th century. Usually, such constructions were dedicated to Shiva having the walls adorned with representations of Siva in various embodiments: some benign, some fierce and sanguinary, others victorious and regal.