The Wooden Sculptures of Manur - Part 1

Nestled on the banks of the enchanting river Tamraparani, Tirunelveli is a treasure trove of distinctive and captivating temples, and among them, the Ambalavana Swami temple in Manur stands out. While I've previously explored two remarkable aspects of this temple in my articles, the exquisite wooden sculptures within its sacred precincts remain an overlooked marvel. In a landscape where numerous narratives have delved into the legend and history of this site, the intricate wooden sculptures deserve their own spotlight. Gracing four distinct slabs in two rows on either side of the Nataraja sanctum's front, these artistic creations of 1700s offer a unique dimension to the temple's charm. Join me as we delve into a list and attempt to identify these captivating wooden sculptures, complemented by corresponding photographs. 

The first slab facing the west side has the below listed nine sculptures.

1) Hanuman carrying Rama; Rama holds bow and arrow. It depicts a scene in Ramayana Yuddha Kanda where Rama seated on Hanuman fighting his enemies.

2) Krishna flanked by Rukmini and Satyabhama

3) Manmatha (Kama Deva) holding a sugarcane bow in his arm; he generally has a parrot as his vahana. However, he is seated on a mythical animal having the face of a lion and body of a bird.

4) A tall tribal woman carrying an infant on her shoulders and having a big pot in her arm; a dwarf is seen accompanying her.

 5) Garudantika Vishnu; Garuda carrying the four-armed Vishnu

6) Vishnu flanked by Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi

7) Multi-armed Tri Vikrama with his right leg raised facing the sky; Brahma is seen at his right foot; Bali is seen below.

8) The ferocious Kali with her Simha (lion) Vahana

9) Three women (I wonder if they are three wives of Dasharata)

Let me continue with the remaining sculptures in the forthcoming posts.

Happy travelling.