Udupi: Ancient Dasavatara Doorframe Discovered in Perduru
Udupi: A metallic door frame dating back to the Vijayanagar period and featuring sculptures of the ten incarnations (Dasavatara) of Lord Vishnu has been discovered in Perduru, a village in the Udupi taluk of Karnataka. The finding was announced by Prof. T. Murugeshi, a retired Associate Professor of Ancient History and Archaeology and Founder Trustee of Adima Kala Trust (R.), Udupi, in a press release.
Perduru is known as the abode of Anantapadmanabha, a prominent deity in the Bhagavata tradition of India’s west coast. The newly discovered doorframe, located within the Anantapadmanabha temple complex, offers insights into the religious and artistic practices of the Vijayanagar Empire.
The doorframe measures approximately 4.5 feet in height and 3.5 feet in width. The central panel depicts Gajalakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, seated with two elephants. The doorframe’s right side features Hanuman in a salute pose, followed by a mythical vyali, and then the first four incarnations of Vishnu: Matsya (fish), Kurma (turtle), Varaha (boar), and Vamana (dwarf). Gajalakshmi is depicted seated on a high platform in Abhaya and Varada mudras, with elephants on either side showering her with sacred water. Above the elephants are depictions of the Sun and Moon. The remaining incarnations are then presented: Parashurama, Rama, Kalingamardhana Krishna holding a cheese ball, Buddha in a nude form, and Kalki. The doorframe concludes with Garuda, the divine eagle, in a salute pose.
Prof. Murugeshi highlighted the historical significance of the discovery, noting an inscription within the temple that dates to the reign of Krishnadevaraya, a Vijayanagar emperor. The inscription indicates that Krishnadevaraya made substantial donations to the temple and appointed Surappayya as an officer to oversee its administration in 1519 A.D. It is believed that the temple underwent extensive renovations during Surappayya’s tenure, including the creation of the Dasavatara doorframe.
The depiction of Kalingamardhana Krishna holding a cheese ball is particularly noteworthy, according to Prof. Murugeshi. Krishnadevaraya’s victorious campaigns against the Gajapatis of Orissa led to the introduction of the cheese ball Krishna to the Vijayanagar capital, Hampi. The emperor then constructed a grand temple dedicated to Krishna, popularizing the worship of this form of the deity throughout the empire. The presence of the cheese ball Krishna on the doorframe supports the theory that it was created during the Vijayanagar period. The inclusion of a nude Buddha, similar to sculptures found at the Vidyashankara temple in Sringeri, is also significant. The sculptural style of the doorframe is consistent with Vijayanagar art.
Prof. Murugeshi expressed gratitude to Sri Pramod Rai Palaje, the president, administrator Sri Gururaj, and all Trustees and Archakas of the temple for their support in the research. He also thanked the research team members of Adima Kala Trust (R.), Udupi: Shreyas Kolpe, Shreyas Bantakal, Gowtham Belman, Ravindra Kushwa, Shirva, Dhanush, and Keerthan Udupi, for their cooperation.
