GHARAPURI - ELEPHANTA CAVES
12
GANESHA, KUMARA & THE ASHTHA
MATRIKA
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| LORD GANESHA |
On the southern side is a LINGA SHRINE with a tiger like gargoyle
as mouth. The adjacent chamber consists of three walls depicted with a huge GANESHA
on the southern wall with his VAHANA
MOOSHIKA (Rat) near his left knee. Above the head of GANESHA are two MITHUNA’s
flying on either side.
On the northern wall is a standing
figure which one can see could be SHIVA or his son KUMARA( KARTHIKEYA). More likely it is KUMARA, because the staff held on his right hand looks like a VEL
or spear. On the right side is BRAHMA sitting on the lotus on swans and to the
left side of KARTHIKEYA is the
chaturbhuja MAHAVISHNU on GARUDA carrying his GADA ( Mace ) on his right hand and his
CHAKRA(Disc) & SHANKHA (Conch) on his left hand.
 |
| LORD KUMARA or KARTHIKEYA |
The western wall consists of 10
figures, out of which the 1st two figures are of LORD GANESHA & VEERABHADRA, the
balance figures which are in the most dilapidated condition are the ASHTHA MATRIKA’S. MATRIKA (singular) is
the divine mother. MATRIKA’s are a group of mother goddesses depicted together
as the forms of ADI PARASAKTHI. They
are also personified as the SHAKTHI
(Power, Energies or Wives) of the gods.
The MATRIKA’S were existent from the Vedic period or even in the Indus
civilization. The Rig Veda speaks about Seven Mothers who controlled the
preparation of SOMA. The MATRIKA’S are generally depicted in a
row of seven called the SAPTAMATRIKA.
In the south of India, SAPTAMATRIKA
worship is prevalent; however ASHTHAMATRIKA
worship is prevalent in Nepal.
 |
| ASHTHAMATRIKA PANEL |
The MATRIKA’S are goddess oriented sects of
TANTRISM or
SHAKTISM and are connected to SHAKTI
and fall under the SHAIVA GODESSESS.
They are also associated with the warrior god SKANDA.
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| ASHTHAMATRIKA panel in ELLORA, caves sitting posture |
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