THE RITUAL SIGNIFICANCE OF SCULPTUREs

More than any other artistic form we find sculptural depictions of the sphinx-purushamriga among the art of the Indian temples. The large majority of temples have at least one and often more purushamriga sculpture in their sculptural program. Of all the temples surveyed during my field-work at least two-thirds have sculptural depictions of this sphinx. The others had undergone extensive renovations in the recent past. It is my conclusion that in recent centuries the awareness of the purushamriga has been diminishing, for unknown reasons. The nature of the purushamriga as a lion with a human face was possibly forgotten and when ancient sculpture was replaced, the purushamriga was no longer included in the sculptural program. In three temples I have found the living tradition of the purushamriga as a Mythologyological being that removes sin and purifies those who enter the temple and worship it. This is the

case in the Shri Shiva Nataraja temple in Chidambaram; in the Shri Kalahasteshvara temple in Kalahasti, and in the Shiva temple in Tiruvatavur. That this tradition was once omnipresent and generally and universally known becomes obvious when one surveys and studies the presence of the sculptural representations in the temples of the south. To begin with sculptural representations of the sphinx-purushamriga are found on the entrances to temples, especially on the temple gateways or gopurams. Sometimes on the inner or outer facade, but also often among the decorations in the passage way. Next immediately one can find purushamriga sculptures placed near the entrance of the central shrine, sometimes on a nearby pillar, sometimes on the door-frame itself. Mandapas or halls used for the celebration of certain festival rituals have often also a purushamriga among the decorative sculpture. Occasionally a purushamriga is placed near the flight of steps leading down to the temple pond, which is also a place where rituals are performed. It can be concluded that till just a few centuries ago it was a ubiquitous tradition to place sphinxes or purushamriga in the form of sculpture at ritually significant places throughout the temple grounds. And that it was placed and situated with respect to its ritual function with regards to purification and the removing of sins.