Venugopala – Krishna Playing the Flute
The image shows the south side garbhagriha (inner sanctum) of the Kappe Chennigaraya Temple situated inside the Belur Chennakeshava Temple complex in Karnataka, India. As you can see, the garbhagriha is a squarish chamber with the life-size statue of Venugopala standing at the rear wall. Portrayed as a divine flute player, Venugopala is a form of Krishna. In Kannanda, Venu means flute, and Gopala means the protector of cows.
In Hindu mythology, Krishna is the eighth avatar of Vishnu. Check the Dashavatara painting on the Hampi Virupaksha Temple Murals for a list and description of the ten avatars of Vishnu.
As you can see from the image, Venugopala is standing with a tribhanga (bent in three places, knee, waist, and neck) pose and playing the flute.
The Kappe Chennigaraya Temple has two garbhgrihas. The other garbhagriha is situated in the western part of the temple and houses the Chennakeshava idol.
Kappe Chennigaraya Images
– East Facade
– North Facade
– Navaranga Pillars
– Dance Floor
– Ugra Narasimha Carved on the Lintel of the South Garbhagriha Door
– Lakshminarayana Carved on the Ceiling
– Outer Wall around the West Garbhagriha
Related Images
– Venugopala – A life-size statue standing in the south garbhagriha of the Somanathapura Keshava Temple
– Venugopala – Sculptural relief carved on the outer wall of the south garbhagriha of the Somanathapura Keshava Temple
– Venugopala – A bracket figure mounted just below the eaves of the Belur Chennakeshava Temple
Related Pages
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Bracket Figures
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Navaranga
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Garbhagriha Outer Wall
– Somanathapura Keshava Temple – A Masterpiece of Hoysala Temple Art
Copyright © 2020 by Lawrence Rodrigues. All rights reserved.