Elements of Hindu Iconography v2.c16.s5.13

v2.c16.s5.13

Two photographs, figs. 1 and 2 on Pl. XLVIII, are reproduced in illustration of Aghōramūrti, both of which belong to Southern India. The first image is to be found in the Śiva temple at Tirukkaḷukkuṉṟam and the other in the Śiva temple at Paṭṭiśvaram. Both of them are almost similar to each other; in these pieces of sculpture two front hands bear the triśūla in a horizontal position, while the other hands carry the ghaṇṭa, the pāśa, the kheṭaka, kapāla, the khaḍga and the ḍamaru. The head is surrounded by tongues of flames and the face, with its round eyes and the side-tusks, indicates the terrific nature of this image. Round the neck is a large garland of skulls reaching down to the ankles and the prabhā-maṇḍala surrounds the figure.