A two -headed bird … mystery of statues of “gandabhirund” under the sculpture of the temples of southern India – Gandabherunda The mystery of the statues of Gandabhirund in the sculptures of the temples of southern India NTCPVP

Look at the symbol of the state of the government of Karnataka, what is visible? If you look carefully, we see that there is a red shield in the middle of this symbol. This shield is a safety symbol. On this shield, there is a white color shape.

If you look carefully, this bird has two heads and the way it was engraved in the middle of the shield, it is a symbol of this, the shield and the bird are also symbols of the protector. The limit of the shield is blue, it is inscribed by Ashoka’s chakra, which is the symbol of the state of India.

Government of the Karnataka Government

There are two red and yellow Gajakesari (half a lion and half-elephant) painted on each side of the red shield on a blue edge. It is a symbol of the intelligence, power and prosperity of mythological creatures, which is a combination of lion (value) and elephant (intellect). This symbol refers to the rich cultural and historical heritage of Karnataka, as presents by the power, religion and administrative stability of the State.

This symbol of the government of Karnataka is inspired by the military symbol of the Mysore Empire. This symbol has its own story in the Mysore Empire.

Now look at the symbol of the University of Mysore. In this too, you will see the same bird figure with two heads in the middle. In the symbol, the motto of the university in the symbol is “Nahin Gyanean Sadarshan” (which means “nothing like knowledge”) is registered. This reflects the university’s commitment to education and knowledge. The symbol generally used blue, red and golden colors, which reflect royal and academic dignity. A two -door bird has also been engraved here on a shield. The symbols of the government of Karnataka and the University of Mysore suggest that both have an association and roots associated with the Mysore Empire.

Is this bird just a sample of rhetorical beauty?

The question arises whether the bird has two mentions is only a rhetorical specimen of the beauty of art, is it just for the decoration, or the imagination of a painter like this? No, you will be surprised that this bird with two ends is a mystery saga in itself. He only tells a very great story of Purana for his presence, although certain parts of this story have become blurred over time, but it is not a big problem for researchers to hide a story. In fact, this story and this mystery begin in the name of this bird.

What is the name of this bird?

Of course, you will not believe that this two -door bird also has a name. In other words, one thing has been decided that it is not only the imagination. The name of this bird is Gandabhirund, also known as “Gandabhirund”. There is no longer anywhere, but in the history of several centuries, there is no proof to see such a bird, which has two heads, but in many pages of India mythology, the details of this bird are recorded, it was therefore considered a mythological bird.

What is the story of this bird?

The history of the presence of this bird in the Puranas is also very interesting. The story of Vishnu Purana mentions that Vishnu took a strange incarnation to make impossible death of hiranyakashyap. He was neither human nor animal, but was like a link between these two. For example, like a lion, he was surrounded by a face, a face, a face, long hair (called aayal), but he was completely human from his neck to the lower toe. Standing on two legs, but the claws of the hands and nails are long and like a lion.

History is linked to Narasimha Avatar

A similar statue of Narasimha can be seen in the Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha temple located on the Sinhachalam hill of Visakhapatnam. According to legend, Vishnu killed Hiranyakishya in this terrible avatar. Generally, the story ends here, but no, stops now … This story is even further and the next part is the center of the “Gandabhirund” bird.

When Narasimha’s anger has not calmed down

It happened that even after killing Hiranyakashyap, the anger of Narasimha did not calm down and he started to vandalize all around in uncontrolled GOs. He wanted to destroy the earth and wanted to kill everything that was in front. That is to say that Narasimha, who himself came to finish an evil, began to become a problem itself. Shivji has taken steps to solve this problem. This story is mentioned in the Vishnu Dharmati Purana.

Shiva Avatar to control Narasimha

Shivji first sent Virbhadra, but Narasimha showed the land to Virbhadra in a box. Now Shiva had to come himself, but he could not face Narasimha in the common form of Shiva. Therefore, Shiva also took a terrible avatar. An animal, which had 8 legs, four hands, horses of the body, which also had wings and his face was like a lion. In the Puranas, he was described as Sharabh Avatar of Shiva.

Sharabh made a jump and climbed on Vishnu’s chest, which became Narasimha. Then he held the two hands of Narasimha in each hand, held the chest with four legs and held the legs of Narasimha with the four rear legs. Now Sharabh has stolen in the sky with Narasimha. Narasimha tried angry to catch the Sharabh throat, then Sharabh torn Narasimha with his nails and uprooted her crannel of the torso. This destroyed the nature of Narasimha then Mahavishnu came out in its calm form.

Shiva Avatar has lost its cool to control Narasimha

Sharabh Avatar is also a symbol of negative anger control resulting from Sattvikta. Part of the story ends here, but the story is still pending. In addition, it has happened that no attempt to control Narasimha, Sharabh has lost his composure and now he has become a new problem for the world. When no one could stop Shiva, then Vishnu took a double embodiment of his own Garun vehicle. Garun which is a fast flying bird and symbolizes knowledge and devotion. Here is Gandabhirund.

Then Vishnu became Gandabhirund Bird

This powerful strong bird had giant feathers, strong claws and two faces, next to which there were also sharp beaks. Gandabhirund has now taken Sharabh in his possession and made him know the truth with his beak. Shiva, who became Sharabh, remembered everything and he gradually calmed down. In the description of many idols, we see that Gandabhirund conquered Sharabh and torn it in the same way as Hiranyakasha had an incision, but most of the statues are in which Gandabhirund held Sharabh in his label and Sharabh is in the posture of greeting with his next two hands.

Sculpture and Gandhirund in craftsmanship

The image of Gandabhirund can be seen in detail in the sculpture and crafts in southern India. This bird was part of royal and religious art with its specific two -door figure. The presence of Gandbhirund appears in the pieces, seals and architecture of the Vijayanagara Empire (1336–1646). For example, his sculptures can be seen in certain Hampi ruins. In the walls and decorations of the Mysore Palace, Gandabhirund is engraved in golden and colorful paintings, which is also a symbol of power and the splendor of the Vodeyar dynasty. The traditional karnataka crafts, such as Kasuti embroidery and sandal scandals, also show the forms of Gandbhirund.

Start of frequency

The frequency of painting also began with the existence of Gandbhirund. In fact, frequency reservation is a style of paint with double patterns. In which the type of bell is carved on half of the canvas. At the other end of the canvas, the shape of the same bells is repeated. The two mouths of Gandbhirund are seen in front of the other with the same distance and are in the same structure.

Sculpture on the walls of the temples

Karnataka temples include Gandabhirund’s sculptures as a religious and royal symbol. The subtle sculptures of this bird can be seen in the temple of Vidyashankar (14th century) of Sringeri (14th century) and the temple of Chennakeshva in Belur. These sculptures have often been engraved with gopuram or the main doors of the temples, which symbolized divine power and protection.

Gandabhirund’s painting and sculptures in the temple of Lepakshi (16th century, Andhra Pradesh, effects of Vijayanagar) reflect the excellence of the art of Vahnav. In some jain temples from Karnataka, such as Shravanabelagola, this symbol was also used as a symbol of power and intelligence. These sculptures have not only religious importance, but also highlight the prosperity of the architecture of Karnataka.

Gandhirund sculptures also in the temple of Rameswaram

Gandbhirund’s sculptures can also be seen on the roof of the main building of the Rameswaram temple, one of the 12 jyotirlingas. At the same time, in an old painting on the wall of the Brihadishwar temple of Thanjavur, the Gandbhirund is seen in an old painting. The temples and paintings are old, but its paintings are new, which makes this painting of sculpture clearer.

Gandhirund in literature

Gandhirund is also mentioned in Indian literature and texts. Besides the Vishnu Dharma Purana, his presence can be seen in Kannada literature. Medieval poets such as Kannada Kavi Pump and Rann used a symbolic use of Gandabhirund or Gandhirund in their works, describing pride and royal power. In the historical documents of the Mysore dynasty, Gandabhirund is shown as a royal symbol. In the modern period, this bird is alive as a symbol of courage and victory in literature and folk tales of Karnataka. In addition, the mention of a two -door bird in the stories of Panchatantra and Jataka is linked to Gandabhirund (Gandabherund), which reflects moral and philosophical lessons.

Symbol of the protection of religion and the destruction of iniquity

However, this two -door bird is a symbol of duality and unity, which reflects the balance of intelligence and power. It is considered a symbol of divine power, defense and invincibility. Due to the influence of the devotional tradition of Vahnava in Karnataka, Gandabhirund was added to Lord Vishnu, which symbolizes the protection of religion and the destruction of injustice.

The use of Gandhirund was also seen in the Empire of Vijayanagara (1336–1646), which was a powerful empire of South India. This symbol is mentioned in certain parts and inscriptions of Vijayanagar. The Mysore Empire, which emerged after the collapse of Vijayanagar, adopted this symbol and made it its identity.

A two -door eagle in the Russian Empire

Birds to the head like Gandbhirund are also found in other cultures, such as eagles at the head of two or Byzantine symbols of the Russian Empire. However, Gandbhirund’s unique character lies in its Indian mythological and royal roots, which gives it a unique identity of Karnataka. The story and the mystery of Gandabhirund or Gandabhirund are not so much, but their description attracts another mysterious bird or animal towards Sharabh. In the ancient art of India, many Sharabh secrets also contain many secrets, mentioning the proximity of Sharabh’s statues in the following.