Poetry in Stone - 24

This is twenty-fourth  in the series on the rich cultural heritage of temples in India. The ancient temples of India are richly carved and they behold ones attention for their craftsmanship. 

In the Chennakesava Temple of Belur there are several pierced stone screens  created in 1175 A.D. through which sun light enters the temple. They have been pierced by squarish holes at intervals and interspaces are carved with ornamental designs and figure sculptures.

One such interesting sculpture is on the middle panel of first screen to the south of east doorway depicting a seated King Vishnuvardhana in durbar with long hair, trimmed bearsd, twirled moustaches and royal dress and ornamentation. 

To his left is seated is the Queen Santaladevi with her hair tied up in butterfly knot in addition to usual dress and ornamentation and heavily tasseled waist belt.  

Here is a beautiful sculpture of entwined snakes along with other beautiful sculptures on the external walls of Sun Temple at Konark.

In the above the first two one below the other are sculptures of Lord on the walls  underneath the Natataraja Temple at Chidambaram.  In the next set the top one is on the walls of Vishwanatha Temple at Khajuraho. The remaining two beautiful sculptures are from Kandariya Mahadev Temple at Khajuraho. There are many more such beautiful carvings, we will explore some other time.