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Dwarpalas - Sacred Gatekeepers!




Dwarpalas are one of the regular features of major Hindu temples which are considered as the guards in service of the presiding deity of the temple. The pairs of Dvarapalas are most usually placed at the entrance to the temple and also at the doorway to sanctum (garbha-griha). Dwarpalas are classified as 'Parivar-devatas' which means they are the semi-divine beings of a minor class who form the entourage of the main deity they serve. The Shilpa-Shatra script that deals with temple architecture also describes the nature and appearances of the Dvarpalas to be placed at different locations at the temple complex.

According to Shilpa- Shastra, the appearance and attributes have to be according to their master (the principal deity that resides in the sanctum). Their costume, weapons, insignia or emblems are indicative of the powers, virtues, and magnificence of the presiding deity. 



Dwarpalas of Lord Shiva




The Dvarapalas of Shiva look after Virabhadra, the ferocious aspect of Shiva. They look fierce with bulging eyes, protruding curved sharp canine teeth, horns (at times); and with their threatening stance and fearsome weapons. They have thick mustaches, bushy eyebrows, and hairy abdomen.  They wear the emblems of Shiva, such as the stripes of ash, animal hides, long flowing unkempt hair, etc. They carry a trident, mace, broad-sword, and a noose. They look ferocious, gesture ominously and stand to plant firmly a foot on the mace.


Dvarapalas of Shiva are :

(i) Nandi and Mahakala (to the East)

(ii) Herambha and Bhringi (to the South)

(iii) Durmukha and Pandura (to the West)

(iv) Sita and Asita (to the North).



Dwarpalas of Lord Vishnu


Subhadra

Bhadra

The Dwarpalas of Lord Vishnu is always modestly dressed and ornamented. They are adorned with the signs and emblems of Vishnu such as the tilaka on their foreheads and urdhvapundra (Nama) on their faces, arms, chest, etc.. They carry in their upper hands the conch (shankha) and discus (chakra); and in the lower hands, the mace (gada) and a noose (pasha, a coil of rope). They stand erect, cross-legged leaning on their mace as if they are resting. The gestures of their fingers and the look in their eyes caution one to behave properly in the presence of the divinity.


Dvarapalas of Vishnu are:

(i) Chanda and Prachanda

(ii) Dhatru and Vidhatru

(iii) Jaya and Vijaya

(iv) Bhardra and Subhadra.

(The first named in each pair stands to the right of the doorway; and the other to the left.)



Dwarpalas of women deities



Dvarapalas of the female deities who represent the grosser elements of nature are fearsome-looking females, modeled after the ferocious aspect of their Mother deity. They carry cutlasses and tridents; wear garlands of skulls, and sport wild unkempt hair. Quite often they are portrayed with flashy eyes, long protruding teeth and tongue spread out of the open mouth.




The historical development in the depictions of Dvarapalas is quite interesting.  The Dvarapalas in the Pallava temples were made fierce. But, the Dvarapalas of the Chola temples are truly awesome intended to strike terror in the hearts of the wicked. They are massive towering up on the walls, snarling you down with sharp oversized fangs, riding on the Yali (mythical beast) making one feel tiny and submissive.   However,  by the time of Vijayanagar (15-16th century) the Dvarapalas grew a shade smaller but muscular and more ornate; they didn’t appear to lean on a mace or a lance-like weapon but stood tall or cross-legged. But the artistic excellence in depicting the Dvarapalas reached its zenith in the Hoysala architecture. Their intricate patterns, adornments are chiseled like a jewel, with extreme care.  They are magnificent works of art in their own right.


Sources and references:

Image courtsey:

srinivasaraos.com


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