• Rekha HG

Among the several religious cults in India, the cult of Mahishamardini is an ancient and popular one. Durga Mahishasuramardini is most popular of the Hindu pantheon. The image of this goddess represents her in both the terrific and the benign aspects are found all over the country. Present study focuses on the iconographic representation of Mahishasuramardini in Badami Chalukyan period found in both cave temples and structural temples at Badami, Aihole, Pattadakallu and Mahakuta. The myth is presented as monoscenic or continuous narrative. Present study is based on both primary and secondary sources. Field study was made at Badami, Aihole, Pattadakallu and Mahakuta. The iconological features of Mahishasuramardini are found in greater details in canonical texts i.e. Ansumadbhedagama, Purvakaranagama, Suprabhedagama, and Shilparatna Pratimavijnana etc. Puranic texts Markandeyapurna Devimahatimya, Agnipurana, Bhavishatpurana, Kalikapurana. The evolution of the image of Mahishasuramardini was mainly due to the wide prevalence of Sakti. Mahishasuramardini became the supreme object of worship in the Sakti cult and had a number of names given to her in the Puranic texts. This cult became so popular in Gupta period, the advent of Markendya purana including Devimahatimya a work of fifth century added to the early specimens of the goddess and depicts her as having only two hands and demon in buffalo form. Chalukyas of Badami were first to create the art in South India. But with the passage of time the theme gained more and more popularity and it gradually became the cult of masses as a result goddess began to be represented in multiple arms with different attributes and postures and influence of worship of Mahishasuramardini was felt throughout the length and breadth of the country.

Badami, Durga, Mahishasuramardini, Shilparatna, Mahisha, Trident

"Evolution of Iconographic Features of Mahishasuramardini in Badami Chalukyan Art”- A Canonical study", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.4, Issue 6, page no.880-888, June-2017, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1706152.pdf

"Evolution of Iconographic Features of Mahishasuramardini in Badami Chalukyan Art”- A Canonical study", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.4, Issue 6, page no. pp880-888, June-2017, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1706152.pdf