Friday, April 22, 2016

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam – Fresco & Mural Paintings

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam – Fresco & Mural Paintings
The walls of the Temple complex are painted with exquisite paintings using herbal and vegetable dyes. They speak volumes about the culture and tradition followed at those times. The figures of gods and Goddesses tell us stories and teach us morals. The high end technologies used in these paintings ensured a long life for these paintings and poses a tough challenge to reproduce them in these modern days.

The idol of the main deity is unique that it is not made of granite as in many temples, but Stucco (a unique combination of lime, mortar and stones bound together by a special paste (Thailam), made of musk, camphor, honey, Jaggery and sandal).

Paintings of Nayak and Marathas are found in the temple of Srirangam.  The innermost circumambulatory passage in the Srirangam temple consists of paintings depicting scenes from the epics.

Paintings found in the ceiling and front mandapam which date back to the 17th century depict scenes of Bhagavat Purana.  The features of the paintings are very sharp; figures are geometric and perfectly symmetric painted on walls, floors and ceilings.

The inner-most enclosure is the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Ranganatha.  It is square inside, but circular outside.  On the upper parts of the walls are paintings that are about 300 years old.