Geri3389994518 at 22:29, 26 February 2023

2023-02-26T22:29:31Z

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[[File:Dashavtar Ivory Carving.jpg|thumb|The Dasavatara shrine|300x300px]]{{short description|Ivory sculpture depicting the major avatars of the Hindu god Vishnu}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}

The '''Dasavatara shrine''' is a miniature [[Hinduism|Hindu]] [[shrine]] displaying the [[Dashavatara|ten incarnations]] of the Hindu deity [[Vishnu]], carved in ivory and wood. The Dasavatara shrine was made in the late 18th century CE in [[South India]]. It is presently displayed in the [[National Museum, New Delhi|National Museum]], [[New Delhi]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Museum, New Delhi |url=http://www.nationalmuseumindia.gov.in/en/collections/index/10 |access-date=2023-02-22 |website=www.nationalmuseumindia.gov.in |at=Decorative Collection}}</ref>

The term [[Dashavatara]] refers to the ten main [[Avatar|incarnations]] of Vishnu, generally displayed together in panels and reliefs.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dalal |first=Roshen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zrk0AwAAQBAJ&dq=matsya+kurma&pg=PT412 |title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide |date=2014-04-18 |publisher=Penguin UK |isbn=978-81-8475-277-9 |pages=412 |language=en}}</ref>

==Description==

According to the National Museum's curator, Anamika Pathak, the Dasavatara shrine is decorated with black paint, and the screen and the base of the shrine shows the signature style of craftsmanship of the Mysore school of ivory painting. All the images are fixed on a painted stepped base made of sandalwood. The base, covered completely with ivory sheet, has the traditional South Indian design of flowers, and is decorated with several knobs fixed at the bottom step. Two pillars support the fence in the background on both sides. The backdrop of the shrine is decorated with perforated ivory screen. These lattice work screens are divided into three parts by two small European style columns. An ivory strip on the wooden edges of the steps and base of the shrine depicts a foliage pattern.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Dasavatara Images in Ivory in the National Museum, New Delhi|author=Pathak, Anamika |journal= Kala|volume=14|year=2009|pages=111–112}}</ref>

== Iconography ==
There are a total of ten images featured in the Dasavatara shrine, standing upon a total of four steps, each depicting an incarnation of Vishnu.[[File:Dashavtar_closeup_national_museum_india.JPG|thumb|A magnified image of the Dashavatara upon the Dasavatara shrine|260x260px]]

The first step features the [[Matsya]] avatar. The second step features the [[Kurma]] and [[Varaha]] avatars. The third step features the [[Narasimha]], [[Vamana]], and [[Parashurama]] avatars. The fourth step features the [[Rama]], [[Balarama]], [[Krishna]], and [[Kalki]] avatars.

The Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha and Kalki images are depicted as [[Chaturbhuja|four-armed]], which conveys the idea of Vishnu's supremacy. All of them hold Vishnu's attributes of the [[Panchajanya|shankha]] and [[Sudarshana Chakra|chakra]] in their two hands. Their other two hands express the [[abhayamudra]] and [[varadamudra]]; Kalki is the exception, holding a sword and a shield.

The Vamana, Parshurama, Rama, Balarama, and Krishna images are portrayed as two-armed, and hold different attributes. Vamana holds an [[Chatra (umbrella)|umbrella]] and a [[Kamandalu|kamandalam]], while Parashurama carries an axe and a bow. Rama holds a bow-and-arrow, while Balarama carries a mace, his other hand expressing the abhayamudra. Krishna carries a flute and a shankha.

All the incarnations are depicted wearing a [[dhoti]] as a lower garment, and are adorned with items of jewellery such as necklaces, bangles, armlets, and the [[kiritamukuta]], a crown worn by Vishnu. Vamana is depicted without a crown.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Indian sculpture]]
[[Category:National Museum, New Delhi]]
[[Category:Ivory works of art]]
[[Category:Hindu art]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dasavatara shrine}}

Dasavatara shrine - Revision history

Geri3389994518 at 22:29, 26 February 2023