Harihara
Harihara
Installed in one of the six devakoshtas (niches) of the Aihole Durga Temple, this beautiful sculpture depicts Harihara, a symbolical fusion of the two Gods of the Hindu Trinity, Vishnu and Shiva. Each contributes half the features to this single entity. Because of this fusion, the followers of both the Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions worship Harihara.
A similar Harihara relief can be found at Cave – 3 of rock-cut cave temples of Badami, about 22 miles west of Aihole.
The six devakoshtas are built into the inner wall of the covered pradakshina patha (circumambulation path) that surrounds the garbhagriha (inner sanctum) and the sabhamantapa (congregation hall) of the temple. The jālandharas (perforated stone windows) occupy the space between the devakoshtas.
Here is the list of sculptures in the clockwise direction:
South corridor
1. East: Shiva with his vehicle Nandi
2. Middle: Narasimhavatara, the fourth avatar of Vishnu
3. West: Vishnu riding Garuda
North corridor
4. West: Varahavatara, the third avatar of Vishnu
5. Middle: Durga Mahishasuramardini (Slayer of Mahishasura)
6. East: Harihara – Current image
Other Harihara Pages
– Harihara – Fusion of Shiva and Vishnu – Sculptural relief carved into the left side wall of Cave – 1, the first of the four rock-cut caves of Badami located in Karnataka, India
– Harihara – Fusion of Shiva and Vishnu – Sculptural relief carved into a wall of Cave – 3, the third of the four rock-cut caves of Badami located in Karnataka, India
Related Pages
– Durga Temple at Aihole
– Badami, Cave – 1, Cave – 2, Cave – 3, Cave – 4
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Bracket Figures
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Navaranga
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Garbhagriha Outer Wall
– Somanathapura Keshava Temple – A Masterpiece of Hoysala Temple Art
– Hampi Virupaksha Temple Murals
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