Q.Fig. 7.33 is an illustration of another pillar from the Virupaksha temple. Do you notice any floral motifs? What are the animals shown? Why do you think they are depicted? Describe the human figures shown.

The pillar in Fig. 7.33 is covered with floral motifs — lotuses and vines — that frame the entire composition. The animals shown include elephants, horses, and mythical creatures like yali (a lion‑headed beast). These animals are depicted because they symbolise royal power, strength, and auspiciousness; elephants and horses were part of a king’s army, while the yali was a guardian creature. The human figures are shown in lively, dancing postures — they are likely celestial dancers or attendants, celebrating the divine presence. Together, the carvings create a sense of ab …

The Virupaksha temple at Hampi was the royal centre of the Vijayanagara empire, and its pillars were not just structural supports but canvases for a rich symbolic language. The pillar in Fig. 7.33 is a fine example of this tradition. Let us look at what is carved on it and why.

Floral motifs are abundant — lotuses, scrolls, and vine-like patterns. In Indian temple art, flowers are never mere decoration. The lotus, in particular, is a symbol of purity, creation, and the divine. It is associated with the goddess Lakshmi and with the cosmos emerging from the primal waters. These floral carvings thus frame the pillar as a sacred axis, linking the earthly temple to the heavenly realm.

The animals shown include elephants, horses, and mythical creatures like yali (a lion-like beast with elephant trunk or horns). Elephants and horses were the backbone of Vijayanagara’s military might — they appear in processions, battles, and royal ceremonies. Their presence on a temple pillar is deliberate: it reminds the worshipper that the king’s power (symbolised by these animals) is under divine protection. The yali is a guardian creature, often placed at temple entrances or on pillars to ward off evil. So these animals together convey both royal authority and spiritual security.

The human figures are depicted in various poses — some stand in respectful anjali mudra (hands folded), others dance, and a few appear to be musicians or attendants. These are not random people. They represent devotees, celestial beings (apsaras), and courtly figures. The dancing figures echo the devadasi tradition, where women dedicated to the temple performed dance as a form of worship. The musicians with drums and cymbals suggest the constant nada (sound) that accompanies temple rituals. In essence, these human figures show the ideal relationship between the devotee and the divine — one of joyful service and reverence.