You may not know these temples

CHENNAI: Presenting a lecture titled ‘The lesser known temples of Chennai’ at Gallery Sri Parvati, as part of Madras Week celebrations, Dr Chithra Madhavan touched upon Hindu mythology for themes that are essentially ritualistic. She spoke on how temples down south marvelously reflect on the fine aspects of the glorious Vijayanagara architecture. Elaborating on the intricate aspects of craftsmanship, she cited the Masilamaniswarar temple in Tirumullaivayol as an example. She explained how the Vimana (sanctum), has been built with cultural identification of epics. Stressing on the iconographic aspects, she said that the structure containing excellent carvings was renovated by removing the pillar capitals and re-installing them in the same places after taking preservative measures, thus retaining the original artistry. In Vijayanagara architecture, one can see that the facade is divided by ribbon-like structures, that run down the base from under the barrel-shaped roof. These ribbons are slightly projected, while the actual roof is resting on a number of regularly diminishing, highly decorated moldings. Deeply concerned about the poor maintenance of temple tanks and oil-greased walls, Chithra insisted that the public should follow certain disciplines within places of worship. Briefing on the Thiruvaleeswarar temple in Padi, she discussed the pillared halls, pyramid porches and inscriptions. Elucidating on the Gangadeeswarar temple in Purasawalkam, she referred to the sorry state of the Chola inscriptions. “Though newer idols and sculptures are seen in temples, they are not as fulfilling as older ones,” she said. Showing the clippings of deities with their consorts from the Srinivasa Perumal temple (Purasawalkam), Kodungaleeswarar temple, Vaikuntavasa Perumal temple (Koyambedu), Dandeeswarar temple, Yoga Narasimhar temple (Velachery) and Manimangalam Rajagopalaswamy temple, Chithra observed the importance of jewellery, clothes and hairstyles, etched in the sculptures. Inner walls of rajagopurams and scenes portrayed from the Ramayana, Siva Leelas, episodes from the life of the saivite saint Sundarar, were also among the topics discussed. Lesser known information on Iruthalaipakshi, Veera Anjaneya, Nandhi, Indira, Lava-Kusa, Bhaheerada, Sarabhamurthy, Veerabadra, Manmadha and Bhairava was also shared.