Tag: iconography

Brihadeeswarar Temple : An Architectural Marvel of the Chola Dynasty

Introduction The Brihadeeswarar Temple, also known as Periya Kovil, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and stands in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. As one of the largest Hindu temples in the world, it epitomizes Tamil architecture and the architectural brilliance of the Chola dynasty. Its monumental size, intricate design, and innovations have made it a UNESCO World […]

ICONOGRAPHY : An Introduction

Icons are religious representations of spiritual ideals or symbols of highly esteemed individuals or objects. That someone might be someone admired for their life, such as Nelson Mandela. Water is sacred because it sustains life, and pipal trees are valuable because they produce oxygen. However, anthropomorphic symbols—such as paintings of Jesus Christ or statues of […]

Balrama : The unsung hero of Hinduism

Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna, does not find a lot of significance in worship today. However, he existed as a very significant figure in Bhagavata Purana. The elder brother of Krishna, he is described as the highest form of divinity that expanded into Vishnu. He is particularly significant in the Jagannath tradition, as one […]