Pillar Three

Artwork by A. Manivelu

Top

  • NORTH FACE:
    Chebulic

    Chebulic Myrobalan is a tree in the Combretaceae family, found wild in the forests of India and surrounding countries at high altitudes. It produces a fruit known as a myrobalan which has many medicinal uses.

  • EAST FACE:
    Nandi, Siva's Mount

    Nandi is the bull on which Siva rides. His name means “joyful one.” Though powerful, he kneels humbly in front of Iraivan Temple, ever at the feet of his Lord, Siva.

  • SOUTH FACE:
    Sadasiva

    Sadasiva, meaning Ever Graceful, is a form of God Siva with five heads and ten arms. In Saiva Siddhanta it is one of the most significant images, full of mystic meanings. The five faces also appear in the niches of the vimanam of this temple.

  • WEST FACE:
    Champaka

    Here is the leaf and flower of the golden champa (Michelia). Its fragrance makes it valuable for offerings, women’s hair ornaments, incense and perfumes. We have several trees here at the monastery.

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Middle

  • NORTH FACE:
    Noose

    The noose, called pasu, signifies control and is used by the Deities to rein in the instinctive mind, to give us control.

  • EAST FACE:
    Monk's Robes

    Here we see the monks’ clothesline, with their khadi-kavi robes, hand spun and hand loomed, drying in the Hawaiian sun.

  • SOUTH FACE:
    Monk's Earring

    The traditional earrings, kundala, are shown here.

  • WEST FACE:
    Holy Ash

    Sacred ash, vibhuti, is used to mark parts of the body, a symbol of Saivism. Pujaris will carefully make these three-line markings each day.

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Bottom

  • NORTH FACE:
    Siva Lingodbhava

    This is the form of Siva known as Lingodbhava, with His face carved in the stone Lingam.

  • EAST FACE:
    Siva Rishi

    This is a traditional form of God Siva as Siva Rishi

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