imported>Skyerise at 19:22, 4 June 2021

2021-06-04T19:22:20Z

New page

[[File:Kirthimukha at Kasivisvesvara Temple at Lakkundi.JPG|thumb|right|Kirtimukha at Kasivisvesvara Temple at [[Lakkundi]], [[Gadag district]], [[Karnataka]], India]]
'''Kirtimukha''' ([[Sanskrit]]: कीर्तिमुख ,''{{IAST|kīrtimukha}}'', also ''{{IAST|kīrttimukha}}'', a [[bahuvrihi]] compound translating to "glorious face") is the name of a swallowing fierce monster face with huge fangs, and gaping mouth, very common in the [[iconography]] of [[Hindu temple architecture]] in India and [[Southeast Asia]], and often also found in [[Buddhist architecture]].<ref name="yalli">{{cite web
|url=http://www.khandro.net/mysterious_vyali_mukha.htm
|title=Yalli and Mukha
|access-date=2007-02-25
}}</ref>

Unlike other Hindu legendary creatures, for example the [[Makara (Hindu mythology)|makara]] sea-monster, the kirtimukha is essentially an ornamental [[motif (visual arts)|motif in art]], which has its origin in a legend from the [[Skanda Purana]] and [[Shiva Purana]] - Yuddha khand of Rudra Samhita.

==Origin and characteristics==
[[File:Kirtimukha.Nepal1.JPG|thumb|left|Kirtimukha above a Hindu temple entrance in Kathmandu, Nepal]]
The word ''mukha'' in [[Sanskrit]] refers to the face while ''kīrti'' means "fame, glory". The story of Kirtimukha begins when a great king [[Jalandhara]], who "by virtue of extraordinary austerities ... accumulated to himself irresistible powers."<ref>Heinrich Zimmer, ''Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilisation'', edited by Joseph Campbell. New York: Harper Torchbooks, 1946, p.175</ref> In a burst of pride, he sent forth his messenger, the monster [[Rahu]], whose main task is eclipsing the moon, to challenge Shiva. "The challenge ... was that Shiva should give up his shining jewel of a bride [[Parvati]]."<ref>''Ibid''., p. 176</ref> Shiva's immediate answer was to explode a tremendous burst of power from his third eye, which created a horrendous, emaciated, ravenous lion. A terrified Rahu sought Shiva's mercy, which Shiva agreed to. But how then were they to feed the ravenous demon lion? "Shiva suggested that the monster should feed on the flesh of its own feet and hands."<ref>''Ibid''., p. 180</ref> So Kirtimukha willingly ate his body starting with its tail as per Lord Shiva's order, stopping only when his face remained. Shiva, who was pleased with the result gave it the name ''Face of Glory'' and declared that it should always be at the door of his temples. Thus Kirtimukha is a symbol of Shiva himself.

The Kirtimukha is often used as a [[Motif (art)|motif]] surmounting the pinnacle of a temple or the image of a deity, especially in [[South India]]n architecture. As Zimmer writes, "Kirtimukha serves primarily as an apotropaic demon-mask, a gruesome, awe-inspiring guardian of the threshold."<ref>''Ibid.'', p. 182</ref>

This face is sometimes confused with another sculptural element, the lion face ''([[Simhamukha]])''.<ref name="RBeer1">{{Cite book |author=Robert Beer |author-link=Robert Beer |title= The Encyclopaedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs| ISBN=1-932476-10-5}}</ref> However, in order to be a Kirtimukha it has to be engaged in swallowing, for the Kirtimukha is the figure of the "all consuming"<ref>Eckard Schleberger, ''Die indische Götterwelt''</ref>

This monstrous face with bulging eyes sits also as an embellishment over the [[lintel (architecture)|lintel]] of the gate to the inner sanctum in many Hindu temples signifying the reabsorption that marks the entry into the temple.<ref>Rohan Bastin, ''The Domain of Constant Excess: Plural Worship at the Munnesvaram Temples in Sri Lanka''</ref> In [[Dravidian architecture]] and elsewhere it tops [[gavaksha]] (''kudu, nasi'') motifs. Mostly it is only a face, indeed very often only the upper jaw and top of the face is visible, although in some places its arms are portrayed as well. The motif can also sometimes be found in Shiva's matted hair.<ref>Zimmer, p. 182</ref>

Some authors have compared the Kirtimukha with the [[Greek myth]] of [[Ouroboros]].<ref>[http://www.pittsburghts.org/downloads/winter2006.pdf The Theosophical Society - The Predator, turning back on itself]</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Kirtimukha relief decoration at Amruteshvara temple in Annigeri.JPG|''Kirtimukha'' at Amruteshvara temple in [[Annigeri]], [[Dharwad district]], Karnataka state, India
Image:Chikkamagalur Amruthapura kirthimukha retouched.jpg|''Kirtimukha'' at Amruteshwara temple in [[Amruthapura]], [[Chikkamagaluru district]], [[Karnataka]] state, India
File:Kirtimukha relief decoration at the Kasi Visveshvara temple in Lakkundi.jpg|''Kirtimukha'' at Kasi Visveshvara temple in Lakkundi, Gadag district, Karnataka state, India
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Poort op de Borobudur TMnr 10015959.jpg|''Kala-Makara'', a ''Kirtimukha'' of 9th century Javanese [[Sailendra]] [[Borobudur]] portal, Indonesia
Image:Linteau Musée Guimet 25974.jpg|Kirtimukha at ''Prasat Kok Po A'', [[Angkor]], [[Siemreap]], [[Cambodia]]. 9th century
Image:Guimet-JAN09-Linteau Khmer-6.jpg|Khmer ''Kirtimukha'' lintel at ''Vat Kralanh'', Cambodia, [[Baphuon]], Angkor style, 11th century
Image:Kirthimukha sculpture in Siddhesvara Temple at Haveri.jpg|''Kirthimukha'' at Siddhesvara temple in [[Haveri]], Karnataka state, India
File:KirtimukhaP1040930D1.jpg|A [[Thailand|Thai]] ''Kirthimukha'' at 'Wat Baan Ping' in [[Chiang Mai]], [[Thailand]]
File:Bhubaneshwar ei04-20.jpg|''Kirthimukha'' at [[Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar|Mukteshvara Temple]] in [[Bhubaneshwar]], [[Odisha]] (India)
File:Parasuramesvara Temple 02.jpg|''Kirthimukha'' at [[Parashurameshvara Temple]] in [[Bhubaneshwar]], [[Odisha]] (India)
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Bhavacakra]]
*[[Rahu]]
*[[Bhoma]]
*[[Batara Kala]]

==Notes==
<references/>

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[http://www.khandro.net/mysterious_vyali_mukha.htm Yalli & Mukha]

[[Category:Indian architectural history]]
[[Category:Architectural elements]]
[[Category:Hindu temple architecture]]
[[Category:Hindu legendary creatures]]

Kirtimukha - Revision history

imported>Skyerise at 19:22, 4 June 2021