Narasimha Panel in Durga Temple, Aihole

This article analyzes the “Narasimha Panel” at the Durga Temple of Aihole.

As we move clockwise from the porch, in the Durga Temple of Aihole, the Narasimha Panel is the second sculpture we notice in the niches of the inner wall of the ambulatory passage. This panel lies between the “Vrishabha-Vahana Shiva Panel” and the “Vishnu on Garuda Panel“.

Hands of Lord Narasimha in Narasimha Panel, Aihole

Lord Narasimha has four arms in this idol. His two right hands are broken. One of the right hand appears to be casually resting on padma-gada (which is broken). In the upper left hand, Lord Narasimha is holding a conch and lower Left hand is on the waist in Katihasta Mudra.

Lord Narasimha is standing majestically with His whole weight on the left foot. The beautiful right-ward swerve of his torso is delicately balanced by His left hands that are gracefully resting a little below the waist. Generally, the idols of Lord Narasimha generates a fear in the devotees and the viewers. However, in this idol Lord Narasimha appears a dignified royal in a confident posture (without the forbidding appearance).

Ornaments of Lord Narasimha in Narasimha Panel, Aihole

Lord Narasimha is wearing wristbands, Yagnopavita and snakes as armlets. The knot of his lower garment is almost reaching upto the ankle of the statue. He is carrying a dagger with Him.

References

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