Title : Gauri-Shankar Necklace
Accession No : 65/7/3894
The cardinal aspect of this necklace is the kavachh, or receptacle for the image of Shiva and his consort Gauri, in the symbolic form of two rudraksha beads naturally joined together to form the sacred couple, Gauri-Shankar. The interior of the casket is lined with lac for longevity while the exterior, studded with precious and semi-precious stones, depicts various deities in three arches. In the centre is Nataraja, the dancing form of Shiva trampling the body of an asura or demon, on his left is his wife Shivagami Sundari and on his right is his devotee, Thirugnana Sambandhan. At the extreme ends are the fiery figures of the yali or the mythical lion. On the opposite end of the necklace is another pendant, placed at the back of the neck, depicting Shiva's son Kartikeya on his vehicle the peacock and flanked by his two wives Sreevalli, the daughter of a hunter, and Devayani, daughter of Devendra.
Gallery
Provenance
- StateSouth India
Condition
- ConditionGood
- Action NoteCNR
Dimensions
- Measurement (CMS)42 X 8
- Weight (GRMS)0.00
Significance
- Socio economicWorn generally by South Indian temple priests and scmyasis or ascetics, this ritual necklace is considered to be extremely sacrosanct and is reserved for sacred occasions and especially during prayer. It may not be placed on the floor and may not be worn while engaged in profane activities such as sleeping, bathing or going out from a holy place, all of which are ritually impure, and hence defiling.
Description
- DescriptionThe cardinal aspect of this necklace is the kavachh, or receptacle for the image of Shiva and his consort Gauri, in the symbolic form of two rudraksha beads naturally joined together to form the sacred couple, Gauri-Shankar. The interior of the casket is lined with lac for longevity while the exterior, studded with precious and semi-precious stones, depicts various deities in three arches. In the centre is Nataraja, the dancing form of Shiva trampling the body of an asura or demon, on his left is his wife Shivagami Sundari and on his right is his devotee, Thirugnana Sambandhan. At the extreme ends are the fiery figures of the yali or the mythical lion. On the opposite end of the necklace is another pendant, placed at the back of the neck, depicting Shiva's son Kartikeya on his vehicle the peacock and flanked by his two wives Sreevalli, the daughter of a hunter, and Devayani, daughter of Devendra.
- Inscription/Markings Yes
- ReferenceJain, Jyotindra; Aggarwala, Aarti (1989). National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum, New Delhi. Ahmedabad: Mapin Pub. ISBN 978-0-944142-23-3.
- KeywordNecklace, Kavachh, Shiva, Gauri, Rudraksha Beads, Gauri-Shankar