THIS IS A PRESENTATION ON ICONOGRAPHY OF MAHISHASURA MARDINI AT DIFFERENT PLACES IN INDIA.

1. Iconography
Of
Mahishasuramardini

2. WHAT IS ICONOGRAPHY?
Iconography is defined as the study of the
symbolism behind sacred images. One of
the most prominent tools of devotion in
Hinduism is the use of images. The
features of an image in Hindu iconography
have a different meaning. Through
gestures, clothing and attributes, the image
reveals certain aspects of the God through
which mythological story has been brought
to attention and so on .

3. “MAHISHASURAMARDINI “- ON THE LIGHT OF
ICONOGRAPHY
One of the most magnificent and formidable goddess of
the hindu pantheon is Mahishasur Mardini.
she is worshipped as a supreme in the name of Sakti and
is known for killing Mahisasur, the buffalo demon.
This form of the goddess is also mentioned as Katyayani
in Devi Mahatmya, Matsyapurana, and Roopmandan.

4. Textual references Of Mahishasuramardini
Puranas Agamas Shilparatna Epic
• Agni Purana
• Markandya Purana
• Matsya Purana
• Vishnu Dharmottara
• Purana
• Anisumadhed Agama
• Sprabhed Agama
• Mayadipik
Mahabharata

5. FEATURES OF MAHISHASUR MARDINI
(HISTORICAL PERIOD)
The earliest images of
Mahishasuramardini were
found on terracotta
plaques from Nagar in
Rajasthan, belonging to
the 1st c. BCE –1st c.CE
time period.

6. Mahishasura Mardini, Udayagiri
Caves,
Madhya Pradesh, Gupta Period (401
CE).
Mahishasura Mardini,
Slaying the Buffalo Demon,
Kushan period, 2nd century CE, Uttar Pradesh, Mathura.
Fig:1 Fig:2

7. Fig:4- Mahisasura Mardini,
8th-century CE.,
Aihole
Fig:3- Mahisasura Mardini,
fighting with buffalo demon
(Ellora caves, Maharashtra)

8. Fig:6- Mahishasura Mardini,12th century CE,
Dulmi, Purulia, Manbhum,
Bengal(Indian museum, Kolkata)
Fig:5- Mahisasura mardini,
Mahabalipuram Tamilnadu.

10. REFERENCES:
1. Banerjea, J.N., (1956) The Development of Hindu Iconography, University of
Calcutta, pp. 66-69.
2.Srivastava Brijbhushan , Prachin – bharatiya , pratima – Vigyan Evam murti kala
(2015); Vishwavidyalaya prakashan Varanasi,Pp-126-133.
3. Gupte, .R.S,. Iconography of the Hindus ,Buddhists and Jains;D.B.Taraporevala
sons and co.private ltd.(1972) ;pp.55-56.
4. Rao Gopinath T.A., Elements of Hindu Iconography, The law of printing house
mount road, Madras; vol I part II;pp.344-355(1914).

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