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Home > Temples of Kerala > Mud Images Lord SubramanyaLord Subramaya, is a popular deity in Kerala even from ancient days. Subramanya has different names94 like Guha, Skanda (of Parvathi), Kumaran (of Ganga), Mahasenan (of Agni), Karthikeya (of Krithhikas), and Saravna (of Saravana plants). The cult of Subramnya prevailed prior to tenth century. He is considered the God of war and also the leader of celestial forces. There are innumerable temples dedicated to Subramnya, either as a principal deity or as a subsidiary deity . Swayambhoo idols of Subramanya are not reported. Generally Subramanya idols are in standing pose. A fine standing image of Subramnya, reminiscent of the Chola idiom, can be seen on the garbha-grha of the Subramanya temple at Maniyur95 and it is ascribed to the closing years of thirteenth century. However in certain motifs in the walls of some temples Subramnya is depicted in lalithaasana or seated on a pea-cock. In the Palani Subramanyaswamy temple (of Tamilnadu) the idol is that of bala-sannyaasi or aanti-pantaaram with no hair Qn the head and wearing koupeena (loin cloth) and having dand in the right hand and kati-hastha for left hand and in standing pose. This characteristic form of idol is followed in some of the temples built in recent times in Kerala also. In the famous temple at Kodumba of Palakkad district the main deity is Subramanya. His consorts Valli and Devasena are on his two sides and all kept on a common pedestal, which is rare in Kerala. There are other sankalpas of Subramnya in standing Pose with vel in right hand and abhaya-mudra on the left. According to another sankalpa He has headgear and precious ornaments and also lotus, abhaya pose, vel and cock or vel and sword in hands and also abhaya and varada mudras. 94. For details refer Puraarpc Nikhandui (MalaYB!am) Vth Edition. (1979) 95. Architectural Survey of Temples of Kerala, H. Sarkar p.121.
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