This is Vishnu with his consorts Lakshmi and Saraswati. All three are seated in padmasana. Images such as these, Vishnu seated flanked by seated consorts are less common compared to the Sthana (sta…
Source: Vishnu and consorts (Pala)
This is Vishnu with his consorts Lakshmi and Saraswati. All three are seated in padmasana. Images such as these, Vishnu seated flanked by seated consorts are less common compared to the Sthana (sta…
Source: Vishnu and consorts (Pala)
This is Dattatreya, a syncretic deity combining Brahma, Siva and Vishnu. Dattatreya with three heads, representing the three deities, is more commonly seen. In this example he has one face and he…
Source: Dattatreya – Ek Mukhi
This is Muthappan, Siva as toddy tapper. A folk deity from Northern Kerala. The Saivite attributes (identifying this bronze as a form of Siva) in this bronze include third eye, cobra hood in the be…
Here Krishna is standing on a Padmapeetha and his knees are slightly bent, showing agility. Krishna is holding butter balls in each of his hands. This form is called Navneetha Krishna. The ornament…
Source: Navneetha Krishna
This is Vishnu is seated position. It is a miniature version and is 5.6 cm in height. The detailing is visible despite the size and physical condition. Vishnu’s hand hold Shankha, Padma, Gada…
Source: Vishnu seated (Pala)
This form of Siva and Parvati is called Uma Sahita. In some examples they are shown standing next to each other. Compare this form with Umamaheshwara and Somaskanda, forms published in this blog si…
Source: Uma Sahita
Narasimha is one of the avatars of Lord Vishnu. Other forms of Narasimha include Lakshmi Narasimha, Kevala Narasimha or Vira Narasimha and Ugra Narasimha. This form, Yoga Narasimha, is in meditatio…
Source: Yoga Narasimha
This is Durga , holding Chakra and Shankha (Wheel and conch shell) in her rear hands. Her front hands are in Varada and Abhaya mudra (Boon bestowing and protection). Durga is sitting on a round ped…
Source: Durga (Orissa)
This is Krishna standing on a coiled serpent and under the canopy provided by the ten heads of the serpent. Krishna is holding shepherd’s staff across his shoulders, behind his head. Krishna …
Source: Krishna under Naga hood
This is Surya and in Hindu belief system, Surya is considered the source of light and life. Origin of Surya worship can be traced to the early Indian text, the Rigveda. Worship of Surya as primar…
Source: Surya (Pala)
Based on published literature, this is Dhatr Surya. More about it later. The whole figure is about 24 cm in height. The main figure, four armed, is standing in samapada on a lotus pedestal. The rea…
Source: Dhatr Surya
This is Subramanya, son of Siva and Parvati, standing with his consorts Valli and Deivani. Subramanya is extremely popular and much adored deity of South India. Subramanya is worshiped in North In…
Source: Subramanya with consorts
Varaha is an incarnation of Vishnu and he is associated with the creation of earth or its recovery the Earth from Hiranyaksha, brother of Hiranyakasipu, associated with Narasimha. Varaha is with bo…
Source: Varaha with consorts
One more Gajalakshmi, this time from Bengal/Bihar. Four armed Gajalakshmi is holding lotuses in her rear hands and elephants are standing on the lotuses. Elephants are pouring water from upturned p…
Source: Gajalakshmi (Bengal)
This is Durga. In North India, especially in Bengal, Durga is synonymous with Mahishasuramardhini. In South distinction exists and Mahishasuramardhini is considered a form of Durga. Framed by prab…
Source: Durga