Forms of Visnu in Udayagiri and Eran (Madhya Pradesh): An Art-Epigraphic Study from 5th to 6th century CE
Keywords:
avatara, inscription, iconography, temple, patronage, vaisnavism.Abstract
Adopting a methodology of visual history two temple complexes of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh are taken upfor comparative art-iconographical study of the forms Visnu unfolding on ground. Udayagiri is a rock-cut cave temple site located in the dynamic multi-faith ambience of the Bhagavata, Buddhist and Jain cultural orbit of ancient city of Vidisa. Eran in the Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh is known for its magnificent pillars, ruins of structural temples and colossal images of Visnu in his monumental avataras. These two contemporary sites manusfest an overwhelming presence of Vaisnava devotionalism and sustained patronage from elite and laity which makes makes them an interesting case study in comparative frame to understand important formations of iconographic conventions. Both the sites are rich in epigraphic material and were geo-politically part of the ‘Gupta’ empire of ancient India. How far they were influenced by the royal patronage if any forms an important parameter of study based on field survey of sites focusing particularly on images of Visnu. The time frame of this eassy is from 4th to 6th centuries CE.
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