MADURAI

The golden image of Sundareswara is one among such numerous figures. It has got a mark supposed to be the imprint of a dancing girl's kiss. The Sthalapurana says that Hema, a beautiful dancing girl greatly attached to the temple in Sri Pushpavana, was an ardent devotee of Siva and always presented to Lord Sundareswara whatever was given to her by her numerous patrons. She cherished a desire to have an image of Siva in pure gold.

But she was too poor to afford it. She prayed to Lord Sundareswara to fulfil her desire. One fine morning, the God himself appeared and turned a number of her brass vessels into pure gold. She immediately got an image of Siva made out of this gold. Seeing the image of Siva made out of this gold, she was so much overwhelmed with joy that she kissed it fervently. The imprint of this joyous kiss is said to be still visible on Siva's image,
which was at last presented to the temple by the dancing girl. Hema's heart was pure like gold and so she could leave the golden imprint.

Figures of the 63 Saivite saints of South India known as Nayatimars are always associated with Saivite temples. Among them there is only one-woman saint, Karaikkal Ammaiyar. This sculpture is remarkable for the ascetic expression of the face of this saintess and the carefully executed detail.

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