Nupurpadika- The Sursundari of Rajarani Temple
Sursundaris are the beautiful lady sculptures in the temples. Some call these beautiful ladies Apsaras, Kanika, Ganika, Maiden, Shilambhajika, etc. The names given by authors or websites are not always true. For example, Apsaras played a major role in Hindu mythology. Apsaras like Menaka, and Rambha played major characters and were reasons for many events. They were not just damsels or beauty pieces.
Sursundari is the most appropriate description and name for such sculptures representing the eternal beauty of the lady along with a cultural glimpse.
In this sculpture, the Sursundari is known as Nupurpadika. The literal meaning of the word Nupur is anklet or ankle bracelet. Nupurpadila means the one wearing anklet. Nupur is one of the prominent ornament of women in Hindu culture.
Nupurpadika holds one nupur in her left hand while putting on (or maybe removing) her second nupur with her right hand. She rests her left hand on a tree branch to gain support while putting an ornament on one leg.
Her hairstyle looks awesome. Her hair is tied neatly. She wears a necklace and big round earrings. Her breasts are adorned with the pearl ornament. She has a beautiful ornament/bracelet on her side arms. Her lower body cloth is thin and one can see the lines in detail.
Nupurpadika is standing on a lotus pedestal with tree branches/twigs in the background.
Rajarani temple dates back to the 1100th Century CE and is the best example of Kalinga Architecture (Kalinga Panchratha Style). It is built in a Rekha Deul format.
