Image: 13th century Saptamatrikas Panagal Group of Temples ruins, Sakti tradition

Description: Panagal (Nalgonda) region of Telangana state has been a major Shaivism pilgrimage center. Many clusters and ruins of pre-14th century Hindu temples and Buddhist stupas are found in the region and in a band extending from western Telangana through northern Chhattisgarh state. In Panagal, artworks include Buddhist, Shiva, VIshnu and Shakti traditions of Hinduism along with other Vedic deities such as Surya. Copper plate inscriptions, hero stones and other artworks with inscriptions are also found in this region. Epigraphical evidence and translations suggest that these are from post 4th-century and pre-14th century, with few exceptions that are older in Brahmi script. The hero stones and broken temple parts show effects of weathering and uniform erosion. The Hindu deities and Buddha-related artwork, however, show many signs of intentional damage to face, ears, limbs or chopped out Nandi heads during 14th- to 18th-century regional wars between Islamic sultanates and Hindu kingdoms. The seven mothers (sapta-matrikas) iconography has been found in preserved and in ruins of temples as well as caves built after the 5th-century. They are found in Shakti, Shiva and in large Vishnu temples. The order of the mothers, whether seated or standing, can vary depending on the Sanskrit design manual(s) preferred by the temple architect and artisans. So do the specifics of the vahana (identifying ride) carved below their feets. These rides correspond to their respective male deity consorts, as the couples go together on their ride. When found in completely preserved forms, Ganesha typically sits on one side of the seven mothers. Some reliefs show musicians and dancers above or on their sides (missing in the ruin fragment above). The image has been donated to the public domain by the photographer (P. Madhusudan). The donation and licensing rights are covered by Ticket 2021010810000756. The uploader (Ms Sarah Welch) has reviewed and modified the images. Any creative rights I have as an uploader, I herewith donate it to public domain and wikimedia commons.
Title: 13th century Saptamatrikas Panagal Group of Temples ruins, Sakti tradition
Credit: P. Madhusudan (see ticket:2021010810000756)
Author: P. Madhusudan
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Usage Terms: Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication
License: CC0
License Link: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en
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