The visit to the Kotravai and Jyeshta Devi /
Thavvai sculptures at Kilkolathur and Anumanthandalam was a part of Shiva and Vishnu Temples, Sculptures like Kotravai,
Jyeshta Devi at Purisai, Kilkolathur, Salukkai, and Anumanthandalam on 2nd
January 2022. I extend my sincere thanks to Mr. Babu Mano, Mr. Manoj L Chakravarthy, Mrs. Ruth, சுகுமார் அருள், and the members of “தொண்டை மண்டல வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம்” for taking me to all these Temples and Heritage sites.
KOTRAVAI AT ANUMANTHANDALAMThis Kotravai / Durgai Amman is sculpted on a
boulder in the form of a bas-relief. This Kotravai is in Samabhanga standing posture with 8 Hands. Her lower
hands are in abhaya and kadi hastam, and the rest of her hands are holding various
weapons, including a Shankha and a Chakra. She is wearing ornaments on her neck and ears. A dress with frills below her
waist and Marbukachu is also shown. A man offering his head /Navakandam is on
the right side, and another man with a sword is on her left side.
This Kotravai belongs to the 9th-century Pallava period.
LOCATION OF
THE KOTRAVAI: CLICK HERE
THAVVAI / JYESHTA DEVI at ANUMANTHANDALAMThis Thavvai
is installed on the roadside at the entrance of the village Anumanthandalam.
She is without her son Mandhan and daughter Mandhi. She is with two hands,
while the right hand is in abhaya hastam, and the left hand is holding a small bowl. She is shown with a flabby belly, big thighs, and breasts. A karanda makuda is shown on her head, and she is wearing ornaments on her neck and ears. This Thavvai/Jyeshta Devi belongs to the 8th
– 9th Century CE.
It was said that the villagers worship this
Thavvai as Nookul Amman, and the annual festival will be conducted in the month of Aadi, and Koolvaarpu is also done. 
KOTRAVAI AT KILKOLATHURThis Kotravai sculpture is on the way to Sri
Agastheeswarar Temple, Kilkolathur. In
this, Kotravai is in Samabhanga, standing posture with eight hands. The lower hands are in
abhaya and kadi hastam. The rest of the hands are holding various weapons. She
is wearing ornaments on her neck and ears. A dress with frills below her waist
and Marbukachu is also shown. An antelope and a Tiger are shown at the top of
the sculpture. A person cutting his head/Navakandam, is on her right, and a
Lady devotee is shown on her left side.
This Kotavai belongs to the 8th - 9th
Century Pallava period.
LOCATION OF
THE KOTRAVAI: CLICK HERE
---
OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
This Kotravai / Durgai Amman is sculpted on a
boulder in the form of a bas-relief. This Kotravai is in Samabhanga standing posture with 8 Hands. Her lower
hands are in abhaya and kadi hastam, and the rest of her hands are holding various
weapons, including a Shankha and a Chakra. She is wearing ornaments on her neck and ears. A dress with frills below her
waist and Marbukachu is also shown. A man offering his head /Navakandam is on
the right side, and another man with a sword is on her left side.
Nice write up on Kotravai and Jyeshta Devi/Thavvai sculptures with beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteநன்றிங்க ஐயா
DeleteHi, how do you identify the deity as Kotravai? As I understand, if black buck is present, we can interpret her as Kotravai. But in Wikipedia, I saw one image where the deity stands on a beheaded buffalo, named as Kotravai. But isn't that Mahishasuramardini, who is a form/incarnation of Durga? Kotravai is more ancient than Durga. So, how do you understand who is depicted - Kotravai or Mahishasuramrdhini? Looking forward to your reply. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIt is not necessary black buck or lion must be present.. Kotravai will always depicted more than 4 hands, holding various weapons, A person offering his head - Navakandam, all shows it is Kotravai.. But Durgai will always with 4 hands, standing on Mahishan's head... Durga is the stage of after Mahishasuramardini ..... Mahishasuramardini is depicted, that she will be killing posture of Mahishan, will be with buffalo head or human head with horns.. Kotravai may also be depicted standing on the buffalo's head.. may be transition stage... The order will be Kotravai - Mahishasuramardini - Durgai
Delete