An elephant performing “abhisheka” (ritual bath) to a Siva linga. This part of the monolithic boulder that also has carved out of it a Ganesha shrine and seven-headed serpent with a Siva linga. Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
10/23
A Siva linga being guarded by a seven-headed serpent, another side of the monolithic boulder with the Ganesha shrine and the elephant perfoming “abhisheka”.
Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
11/23
A Ganesha shrine carved in the same monolithic rock that has a Siva linga being guarded by a seven-headed serpent and the elephant performing “abhisheka”.
Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
12/23
Some of the murals have faded or look smudged.
Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
13/23
A panel depicting Dakshinamurthy. Parvathi can be seen holding lotuses and with hands folded in “anjali mudra” (salutation).
Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
14/23
Parvathi’s toilet. The seated figure is male while a group of elegantly dressed women gaze at him. Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
15/23
Maids of honour at the marriage of Siva and Parvathi.
Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
16/23
Siva and Parvathi playing a game of dice while Nandi (bull’s head on human body) looks on.
Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
17/23
The mural depicting Kiratarjuniya, an episode from the Mahabharata.
Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
18/23
The mural depicting Kiratarjuniya, an episode from the Mahabharata.
Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
19/23
The ASI has restored the paintings several times since 1979, but many details were lost because of neglect before that. Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
20/23
A panel showing the rescue of Markandeya by Lingodbhavamurti.
Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
21/23
Tripurantakamurti, a manifestation of Siva holding a deer (mriga) and an axe (parashu) in two hands. Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
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