Varaha-Avatar Panel in Durga Temple, Aihole

This article analyzes the “Varaha-Avatar Panel” at the Durga Temple of Aihole in detail.

Varaha-Avatar in Alidhasana pose at Durga Temple, Aihole

As we move further in the clockwise direction in the ambulatory passage of Durga Temple in Aihole, the panel after “Vishnu on Garuda” panel is the Varaha-Avatar Panel. Varaha-Avatar is the third incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Here, in this panel Lord Vishnu is standing in Alidhasana. This pose is generally adopted while shooting. In this pose, one of the knee is thrown in the front. The other leg remains retracted. In this pose along with the forward motion of the lower body, the torso also moves in the same direction.

The arms of Varaha-Avatar at Durga Temple, Aihole

The panel depicts Lord Varaha as four-armed deity. All the arms are destroyed. Still, we can see that Lord Varaha carries the disk (Sudarshana Chakra) in His upper right hand; the lower right hand is in Katihasta Mudra.

The Lower left hand beyond elbow of Lord Varaha is broken. Bhu-devi, Earth personified, sits on the crooks of His upper left hand.

Mythological Story of Lord Varaha and Bhudevi at Durga Temple, Aihole

According to Indian Mythology, Bhudevi slipped in the depths of primordial waters. Demon Hiranyaksha was responsible for Her slipping in the abysmal darkness of cosmic waters. Lord Varaha emerged from Lord Brahma’s nostrils; vanquished the demon and rescued Bhudevi.

In the panel, the boar face is looking upward at Devi Bhudevi and it touches the left hand of the Goddess. The backward placement of the right hand on waist beautifully balances the forward movement of the Lord Varaha’s idol.

Sheshanaga and Naga-Lakshmi in Varaha-Avatar Panel at Durga Temple, Aihole

The left leg of the idol is on the coils of three-hooded Sheshanaga. Sheshanaga and his consort three-hooded Naga-Lakshmi are earnestly and humbly praying Lord Varaha. They are in awe and are adoring Him. The pattern on Sheshanaga’s tail is amazingly realistic.

Jewlery of Varaha-Avatar at Durga Temple, Aihole

Lord Varaha is wearing Yagnopavita, necklace, mekhala (waist-belt) and the armlets of snake-coil. He is wearing an embellished crown.

A misleading claim about this sculpture

This sculpture was in news sometimes back when someone claimed that the small sphere visible in this pix also on the snout of the Varaha represents earth and it signifies that the Indians were aware that Earth is round in shape and not flat. However, its a misleading claim as the small bulge (in this pix) in reality is the Conch, an emblem of Lord Vishnu and not the Earth.

Forms of Varaha

Lord Vishnu chooses to take incarnation as Varaha as it is very versatile. Although Varaha is one avatar but several forms of Him are worshiped. He is worshiped as Yagna Varaha (utsava murthy) in Srimushnam. At the same place He presides as the main deity. In Tirupati, He is the kshetra Adhipati and Lord Srinivasa is his tenant. The devotees here seek His blessings for financial success in their ventures. In Tiruvellarai, the glowing Varaha avatar offers darshan and protection to all. At Tiruvidandhai, as Lakshmi Varaha Perumal, He helps unmarried to find spouses.

References

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

Many Forms of Varaha – “Hindu Newspaper”

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