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One of the three extant sculptures of the Sun God on the northern side of the sanctum sanctorum. Here he is riding a horse wearing gumboots, with devotees worshipping him and angels bringing garlands for him. Both the Sun God and his steed are highly ornamented.

A gigantic restoration effort in Konark

The ASI has taken up work at the Sun Temple to conserve those portions that are still standing and restore to the extent possible the colossal temple
T.S. Subramanian,Photographs by D. Krishnan

Restoration of the Sun Temple

The ASI has taken up work at the Sun Temple to conserve those portions that are still standing and restore to the extent possible the colossal temple
T.S. Subramanian,Photographs by D. Krishnan

The Harappan hub

The finds in Dholavira in Gujarat's Kutch district, unlike elsewhere, throw light on the rise and fall of the Indus civilisation in its entirety and i
T.S. SUBRAMANIAN recently in Dholavira. Photographs by D. KRISHNAN.

The Harappan hub

The finds in Dholavira in Gujarat's Kutch district, unlike elsewhere, throw light on the rise and fall of the Indus civilisation in its entirety and i
T.S. SUBRAMANIAN recently in Dholavira. Photographs by D. KRISHNAN.

Khirsara's Harappan Glory

Excavations in Khirsara village in western Kutch reveal a "major industrial hub" and trading centre of the mature Harappan phase.
T. S. SUBRAMANIAN. Photographs by D. KRISHNAN,Photo Editor,The Hindu.
NATARAJA OF TIRUVALANGADU. This bronze belongs to the period of Raja Raja Chola (regnal years 985-1014 CE). The hand at the top on his right side plays the damaru and the one below depicts the 'abhaya' (protection) mudra. On the left side, the hand at the top holds a flame of nine tongues, representing the continuum of energy, and the one below is in the 'gaja-hasta' pose (like an elephant's trunk). The pendant on the necklace has moved from its original position, a touch of realism. The 'tiruvasi' (arch) and the flying hair, so characteristic of Nataraja bronzes, are missing. They either broke off or were stolen.-

Masterpieces in metal

The millennium celebrations of the Brihadisvara temple in Thanjavur showcased the largest collection of Chola bronzes ever.
TEXT BY T.S. SUBRAMANIAN & PHOTOGRAPHS BY D. KRISHNAN
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