Monday, July 2, 2012

Sri Ramar Pattabhishekam at Thanjavur

These carvings on the walls of the Brihadeswara Temple depict the coronation of Lord Rama, after 14 years of exile and a war with the demon-king Ravana. The event is known as Ramar Pattabhishekam in Tamil.

To Rama's right are his 3 brothers Lakshmana, Bharata and Shratughna. Two female (?) attendants with fly-whisks stand behind Rama.To Rama's left is Sita, in a green blouse. Behind Sita is Lakshmana's wife Urmila I think. The monkey and bear troops who assisted in the battle are in attendance on the right. Next to Sita is Hanuman (standing), the numero uno monkey. The troops to the left in attendance are also monkey and bear army, but led by Vibhishana? Not sure.

A (translation of the) description of the scene from Valmiki's version of the Ramayana describes the crown with which Rama was coronated:
"With which crown, long ago, Manu the emperor was adorned while he was consecrated and with which, the kings who followed in his line were successively adorned while they were coronated, that crown, studded with precious jewels, fashioned by Brahma at the beginning of creation and dazzling with splendour, being kept according to practice on a throne adorned with many kinds of precious stones in the council-hall, studded with gold, graced with abundant riches, decorated and shiningly made with most charming jewels of various kinds"

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