Ashta Dikpalas – Painting on the Hampi Virupaksha Temple ceiling
Ashta Dikpalas – Guardians of the Eight Directions
This painting is part of the mural adorning the ceiling of the Ranga Mantapa, a covered hall in front of the garbhagriha (inner scanctum) of the Virupaksha Temple, located in Hampi, Karnataka, India. Check the Hampi Virupaksha Temple Murals for a detailed explanation of the murals.
Painted on each of the eight frames is a dikpala (guardian of a direction). Here is the list from left to right:
1. Ishana – Guardian of Eshanya (Northeast), riding Vrishaba (a bull)
2. Nirrti – Guardian of Nairutya (Southwest), riding a horse and carrying a sword
3. Vayu – Guardian of Vayuvya (Northwest), riding a gazelle
4. Varuna – Guardian of Paschima (West), riding Makara (a crocodile-like mythical creature)
5. Kubera – Guardian of Uttara (North), riding Nara (a man) and carrying a gada (mace)
6. Yama – Guardian of Dakshina (South), riding a male buffalo
7. Agni – Guardian of Agneya (Southeast), riding a ram
8. Indra – Guardian of Purva (East), riding Airavata (a white elephant) and wielding his signature weapon Vajrayuda (Thunderbolt)
Related Pages
– Hampi Virupaksha Temple Murals
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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