Dual-Faced Lamp Depicting Shiva-Vishnu Syncretism

• 27 Jun 2025

Source: TH 

A rare 15^th-century dual-faced lamp, intricately showcasing the syncretic fusion of Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions has been discovered at the Perdoor Anantapadmanabha Temple in Udupi district, Karnataka. 

Key Points 

• Dual Religious Significance: The lamp uniquely blends depictions of Shiva (as Nataraja) and Vishnu (as Anantapadmanabha), reflecting rituals of both Shaiva and Vaishnava cults. 
• Historical Donation: Inscribed records reveal the lamp was donated in 1456 CE. 
• Narrative Sculptures: 
  • First Face: Depicts Shiva’s Pralaya Tandava (destructive dance) with Parvati, Ganapati, drummer Bringi, and Khadga Ravana is seen seated on a standing woman, identified as Goddess Mari, in Vismaya Mudra. 
    • Vismaya Mudra is a one-handed gesture that expresses a sense of wonder. The palm faces inward toward the body, with the fingers spread apart and open. 
  • Second Face: Shows Brahma, Indra, Anantapadmanabha, Agni, and Varuna pleading with Vishnu to pacify Shiva’s destructive dance, symbolizing cosmic harmony. 
• Artistic Details: Figures are in Samabhanga pose (equal distribution of the body limbs on a central line, whether standing or sitting) with distinct headgear. 
• Cultural Continuity: The presence of Khadga Ravana-Mari worship in the temple’s outer prakara highlights the survival of ancient folk-deity traditions alongside mainstream Hinduism. 

Read More: Nataraja Artistry of Lord Shiva