Mini Durga Shrine - Mamallapuram

There seems to be no end to the experiments in stone done by the Pallava sculptors in Mamallapuram. Cave Shrines, Monolith Rathas, Structural Temples, Mini Shrines, and what next? A mini temple carved in a lion's torso. It is located on the south in the Shore Temple complex. 

A monolith sculpture of a seated lion with an opening in its torso is unusual for other sites but perhaps not for Mamallapuram. Similar to the one found here, there are shrines in Yali Mandapa and Mini Yali Mandapa. However, this shrine looks more prominent and aesthetically sculpted.

The eight-armed Durga, arguably the favorite Goddess of Pallavas, is found as a bas-relief image in the niche carved in the lion's chest. She carries various weapons in all her arms. However, they are eroded and are not clearly visible. Bow in her forearms alone is clear. She is seated, and below her seat, the severed head of buffalo (Mahisasura) is seen.

An elegant female guarding holding a bow is sculpted on the right side of the lion. Another guardian on the other side would have made this mini shrine a masterpiece. However, like many other monuments, it is also an incomplete one.

Like the lion, deer is also associated with Durga. A big sculpture of seated deer is found adjacent to this mini shrine. The image got damaged, and the deer lost its head. (Whenever I hear people referring to this sculpture as a sacrificed deer, I never miss to admire the commentators' humorous sense. :-) )

Happy travelling.