Varaha fighting with Hiranyaksha

Sculpture Date: 1767

Style / Dynasty: Peshwa Dynasty, Hemadpanthi Architecture

Varaha fighting with Hiranyaksha

Varaha is one of the Avatara (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. Varaha lifts the earth goddess Bhumi out of the cosmic ocean when the demon Hiranyaksha stole the earth goddess and hid her in the primordial waters, Vishnu appeared as Varaha to rescue her. Varaha killed Hiranyaksha and retrieved the earth goddess from the cosmic ocean, lifting it on his tusks, and restoring her to her place in the universe.

Sculpture Information:

Siddheshwara temple is part of the famous group of temples of God Shiva which are placed around the confluence (Sangam) of Pravara and Godavari rivers at Toka near Newasa (Pravara Sangam). The main temple is the abode of Lord Shiva with Shiva Linga.

The outer wall of the main temple is decorated with many sculptures depicting stories from Puranas, Ramayana and Mahabharata. There are multiple panels dedicated to various incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

Varaha sculpture is in action mode. God Varaha is shown with four hands. He carries Shankha, Chakra and Padma in his three hands and is shown throwing Gada with his fourth hand towards the demon Hiranyaksha.

While fighting to kill the demon, Varaha is lifting earth on his tusks. The best part of this sculpture is the half shape of the earth and the details carved in the earth’s half sphere.