Poetry in Stone - 25

This is twenty-fifth in the series on the rich cultural heritage of ancient temples in India. The ancient temples are richly carved and each of the carvings surpass each other in their mastery. One of the prominent carvings are the war scenes from various epics.

Above is the two warriors fighting in a battle carved at the 12th century Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebid. At the same temple there is a intricate rock carving showing, Abhimanyu entering the Chakra vyuha as seen below.

The epic Mahabarath depicts the battle between Karavas and Pandavas. In this battle Abhimanyu, son of Arjun penetrates the Chakravyūha a special formation. As he had no knowledge of how to come out of it, he was trapped upon entry and fought alone. Once he penetrated the sixth tier of the formation, all the Kauravas commanders attacked him simultaneously and killed him.

A band of battle scene on the external wall of Mallikarjuna Temple, Basaralu. In the below the top image is that of band of various battle scenes from Lakshminarayana Temple at Hosaholalu. 

The Jalakanteshwar Temple in Vellore Fort at Vellore has beautiful Kalayana Mandapam. The pillars here have beautiful carvings of warriors on the horse. The 10th century  Ranganathswamy Temple at Srirangam also has beautiful sculptures of warriors on the horse. One of the Hero Stone at A.S.I Museum in Shimoga created in memory of brave warrior  who lost his life in the battle field.