Mahishasura Mardini Panel in the Durga Temple of Aihole

In this article we would discuss in detail the “Mahishasura Mardini” Panel at the Durga Temple of Aihole.

This panel of Mahishasura Mardini is between the “Varaha-Avatar” Panel and the “Harihara” Panel in the ambulatory passage of the Durga Temple in Aihole.

The word Mahishasura Mardini is a concatenation of three Sanskrit words: Mahisha (buffalo), asura (demon), and mardini (slayer). This sculpture depicts Goddess Durga slaying Mahishasura, an evil demon who took the form of a buffalo.

Gracious Mahishasura Mardini Panel at Durga Temple, Aihole

This eight armed statue of Devi Durga is in full relief and its execution exudes a classic tradition.

The battle between Mahishasura and Devi Durga lasted for about nine-days and nine nights. She still appears to be carrying Herself with grace. Devi Durga has a complete trust in Her power of virtue, divinity and goodness and is personification of extreme courage and confidence. She knows very well that in this struggle of good and bad, good will triumph.

She remains statuesque in the inherent dignity and looks unperturbed in Her stance and poise. Her face is glowing with peace and contentment and there is no anger and hatred.

The bewitching form of Mahishasura Mardini at Durga Temple, Aihole

Devi Durga carries a bewitching form in the statue. She is a young lady glowing with youthful charm. She has round and firm breasts. Her waist is thin and the curve below is expansive towards her hips. She has finely shaped legs. It was this un-paralleled beauty that invited Mahisha to cast his evil eyes or Her and invited Her wrath.

She is wearing beautiful ornaments; four sets of necklaces, a pair of jewelry is running neck to waist crisscrossing each other with a lovely pendent just below Her breast. In Her upper two hands, she is wearing intricately carved armor. Her complete attire makes it clear that its the statue of a warrior in the battle ground.

Weapons of Mahishasura Mardini at Durga Temple, Aihole

In Her eight arms, She is carrying different weapons given to Her by various Gods. Lord Shiva gave Her the trident, Lord Vishnu the Chakra, Varuna – conch, Yama – Pasha and an iron rod, Agni – a dart, Vayu – the bow, Surya – the quiver and arrows, Indra – thunderbolt, Kubera – mace, Lord Brahma – rosary and water-pot, Kala – Sword and Shield, Vishwakarma – a battle axe, Himavan – a lion. Other Gods also gave Her various other arms and ornaments.

In this idol, She is carrying a trident, a disc and a lotus in three of Her right hands. She carries a conch and a bell in Her left hands. Her other hands are broken. She is wearing an intricately carved Jatamukuta that has a crescent moon tucked-up. Each of Her eight arms is posed like an actual arm.

The stance and pose of Mahishasura Mardini at Durga Temple, Aihole

She is standing in Tribhanga pose – a pose with three bends. Her legs are apart. Her right leg is slightly bend towards right, while Her left leg is resting on the buffalo demon, pressing him down in the sitting position. Devi Durga is effortlessly thrusting her trident in the demon’s back and is slaying the demon with ease.

Devi Durga is standing triumphantly over Mahisha in a relaxed manner. The disposition of Her hands and the beautiful face with downcast Nilotpala eyes are expressive of supreme bliss. Her vehicle, the lion, with intricate mane, is also looking menacingly at Mahisha.

Mahisha has a nice pair of curved horns. One of its leg is in air emphasizing that the javelin thrust into its back is causing great pain.

This idol shows the beautiful divine feminine with power, emotions, skills and the compassion. This idol has a great sense of naturalism and logic that pervades the work.

References

The Art and the Architecture of Aihole by R. S Gupte

Elements of Hindu Iconography, By T. A. Gopinatha Rao

Ancient India – Buddhist, Hindu and Jain by Susan L. Huntington

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