• nataraja-front-3000-01
  • nataraja-back-3000-01

Nataraja

Original Location: Tiruvarangulam

Present Location: National Museum, New Delhi

Date: 9th-10th century CE

Period: Early Medieval

Material: Bronze

Objects: Sculpture

Style: Chola

Dimensions: H 71.5 x W 46.0 x D 28.7 cm

Credits: National Museum, New Delhi


This bronze image of Nataraja is in the chatura-tandava pose. The three-eyed and four-armed Shiva is dancing with his right foot placed on the demon of ignorance, Apasmara. The rear right hand holds the damaru and the front right hand is in abhaya-mudra with a serpent coiled around the forearm. The loops extending at the side were used as support when these bronze images were taken out on ceremonial processions.   

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