Proud betegarthi (huntress) after a successful hunt
Betegarthi is a huntress, indicated by the bow on her left shoulder and an arrow (only a small piece remains) in her right hand. She seems to have finished a successful hunt, indicated by the lady on the bottom right who is seen carrying on her shoulder a kill, which appears to be a deer, from the hunt.
The lady on the bottom left, who likely helped in the hunt, is seen carrying a sword-like object. There is a small mysterious figure with a puzzled facial expression sitting next to this lady.
As you can see from the image, this bracket figure is carved with amazing details. Betegārthi‘s majestic stance and facial expression show her pride after a successful hunt. Notice her left toe, which is up slightly as if she is about to move.
Betegārthi is one of the 38 bracket figures mounted on the exterior wall surrounding the Navaranga (covered hall in front of the inner sanctum) of the Chennakeshava Temple in Belur, Karnataka, India. Each figure is attached to an inclined bracket placed just below the eaves, with its base mounted on a pillar slightly below its capital.
Check the Navaraga Layout page for the location of the bracket figures. Referring to this layout, she is figure number 23, i.e., mounted on the rightmost pillar attached to the facade of the north entrance to the temple.
Read more about this and other shilābālikes at Belur Chennakeshava Temple: Bracket Figures.
Other Shilābālikes – Female Bracket Figures
– Darpana Sundari, Sukha Bhashini, Nātya Sundari, Gāna Sundari, Kesha Sundari, Tribhangi, Nagna Sundari, Kapāla Durga, Koravanji, Nātya Mohini, Betegārthi
Male Bracket Figures
– Flute playing male musician
– Narthaka – Davane playing male dancer
– Davane playing male musician
Hoysala Temples:
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Bracket Figures
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Navaranga
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Garbhagriha Outer Wall
– Kappe Chennigaraya Shrine
– Somanathapura Keshava Temple
Badami Chalukya Temples:
– Badami, Cave – 1, Cave – 2, Cave – 3, Cave – 4
– Durga Temple at Aihole
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