Durga at Mahabalipuram

History glossary

Also called: Mahishasuramardini panel · Topic: Early Indian Art and Architecture: Stupas, Rock-cut Caves, Temples · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 4 "Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings"

Meaning

This is a famous rock relief at Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu. A relief is a carving that stands out from a flat rock surface. It shows the goddess Durga fighting Mahishasura, the buffalo-headed demon. For this reason it is also called the Mahishasuramardini panel, which means "slayer of Mahishasura". It belongs to the Pallava period. NCERT dates it to c. sixth century CE, while many art historians place it a little later, in the seventh century. It is famous for showing strong movement and the drama of battle.

Example

In the Mahishasuramardini cave at Mahabalipuram, Durga rides a lion and holds many weapons in her many arms. Her army pushes forward, and the huge buffalo-headed demon steps back as he loses.

Don't confuse with

  • Durga temple of Aihole: a Chalukya temple in Karnataka. Its name comes from durg (fort), not from the goddess.
  • "Descent of the Ganga" / "Arjuna's penance": a different great relief at Mahabalipuram. Scholars still disagree about which story it shows.

Related concepts

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