Hampi Virupaksha Temple Murals: Dashāvatāra (Ten Incarnations of Vishnu)

Dashāvatāra (Ten Incarnations of Vishnu)
The Dashāvatāra 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.

As you can see from the image, the panel has 12 frames. Painted between the two large end frames are the ten standard avatars of Vishnu, which are in the chronological order from left to right. The list below provides a brief explanation of the avatars.

1. Matsyavatara – Human face with the body of a fish
2. Kurmavatara – Human face with the body of a turtle
3. Varahavatara – Human body with the face of a wild boar
4. Narasimhavatara – Human body with the face and claws of a lion
5. Vamanavatara – Vamana is carrying a wooden umbrella.
6. Parashurama – Parashurama is holding an axe, his signature weapon
7. Rama
8. Krishna – Krishna is killing Kaliya, a serpent causing trouble in the Yamuna River
9. Buddha
10. Kalki – Kalki is riding a galloping white horse

The frames at the ends depict Rathi and Manmatha. Riding a horse on the left end is Rathi, and riding an elephant on the right end is Manmatha, and each is holding a bow and arrow.

Other Paintings in the Virupaksha Temple Murals
– Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma
– Girija Kalyāna, Sita Swayamvara, Draupadi Swayamvara
– Ashta Dikpālas
– Tripurantaka, Manmatha Vijaya