The Colas c36.97

c36.97

Fig. 81. Rāma, Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa with Hanumān. Bronze. In the Viṣṇu temple at Tirukkaḍaiyūr, Tanjore District. Rāma stands on *padmāsana* in the *tribhaṅga* pose. Wears a high *kirīṭamakuṭa*, *makarakuṇḍalas*, a number of necklaces etc. Holds a bow in his left hand and an arrow in his right hand. The execution of the figure is excellent and the details, although elaborate, are pleasing and effective. The flexion is especially fine. Lakṣmaṇa is similar to Rāma; but the head-dress here is *jaṭāmakuṭa*, and the figure is smaller. Sītā also stands in the beautiful *tribhaṅga* pose on *padmāsana*; *jaṭāmakuṭa*, *patrakuṇḍalas*, *channavīra* and the lower garment are all excellently done. Hanumān is very small, but shows all the details in a beautiful manner. The group may be dated to about the 12th century A.D.