ARDHNARI TEMPLE-MANDI

Introduction

The Ardhnari temple at Mandi is, compara- tively, a modern temple. The right half of the stone image in the temple represents the Siva and the left half his consort Paivati. Siva has his typical knotted hair and wearing a garland of skulls, an entwined serpent, a musical instrument in one hand and a Damru (drum) in the other. The divine consort Parvati is shown wearing a diadem, a pair of earrings and a ring on the nose. The icon is well executed from all standards.

There is a slab joined to the image on which the vehicles (Vahan) of the deities- the bull and the lion, are artistically carved. The images of Bhairon and Hanuman are also there. The temple consists of a cella, porch and a mandap. The carvings of the temple are of a high order. Ardhnari icons are rather rare in Northern India and the presence of this icon here is rather strange.

Author - P.C.Roy Choudhury

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