Parankundram Cave is located about 7 km from Madurai in Tamil Nadu and is a famous cave
temple. Classical Nataraja Thandava form cut in relief in a cave makes the Parankundram
cave unique.
The Hindu reports
The classical Nataraja has been sculpted with a circular
flaming areole complete with two makara forms at the base, the wavy tresses of
the Lord, the Damaru and flame held in his stretched hands, Muyalagan, the dwarf
demon underneath, four-headed Brahma on the tabla below and saint Karaikkal
Ammaiyar on the side. The Lord’s Consort Sivakami looks on as specified in the
canons.
The sculptor’s mastery over the medium is evident in the way
he has removed the material to position the left foot almost entirely out of
the wall, giving the entire body the classic three bends – the Tribanga. Sadly,
both the sculptures have been badly mutilated. It is interesting to note that
on both sides of the dancing form are the reliefs of Ganesha, as the
five-headed Heramba Ganapathy seated on a lion and Muruga with six heads and 12
hands, seated on the peacock.
