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| Dwarapala in Gangaikonda cholapuram temple, TN. dreamstime.com |
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| Dwarapala Viruipaksha temple,KA. dreamstime.com |
Above image: Bagalakote, Karnataka. Pattadakal temple complex. Giant gray stone sculpture of dwarapala guard at entrance to Viruipaksha temple...........
There is no Hindu temple in India, in particular, southern regions that does not have a pair of giant sculptures of Dwarapalas, supposedly the sentinels of gods and goddesses at entrance gate(s). It is a combination of two words: Dwaram meaning door or entrance and Palakas meaning guardians). They are official gate keepers and guards on duty, protecting the presiding deities in the sanctum or garbagriha or simply the entire temple itself. Often depicted as a giant warriors larger than life - may be gentle looking with a smile or fierce looking with protruding curved teeth (similar to canine teeth) armed with weapons mostly mace - gada; doing duty round the clock ever in the service of the lords, they are parivara devatas and their massive size, look and other attributes are in tune with the majesty and power of the presiding deity in the grabagriha. Besides, their regalia, posture and things they carry in their hands reveal the affiliation of the temple - Shiva, Vishnu, and Shakthi tradition. Mostly made of monolith stone, preferably granite, the ones on the entrance tower of many temples are not made of hard stone.
Often looking robust with absorbing look they are mostly in standing posture on either side of the entrance gate of the temple or shrine. They may be made of stone or metal, but are mirror images of the other. In the latter case depictions of dwarapalas in metal are rare. The huge dwarapala sculptures are an integral part of temple architecture and iconography found throughout Hindu, Buddhist and Jain cultures, as well as in areas influenced by them in certain parts of SE Asia. Each is endowed with four arms.is adorned with Kirita (headgear), Bhuja –kirti (shoulder ornaments), karna-kundala (hanging earrings). They seldom wear garlands, nor are they bejeweled. The Dwarapalas in the Hoysala temples of Karnataka are particularly graceful wearing ornate jewelry and gently holding lotuses as if inviting the devotee to God’s abode. Such facial expressions are rare.
There are female dwarapalas as well and are assigned to guard the abode of goddess or lord's consort in a separate sanctum on the same temple premises. They do have names -such as Chanda,Prachanda, Jaya, Vijaya,Harabhadra and Subhadra Nandi Mahakala are also Shiva's guards. So are Jaya and Vijaya for Sri Vishnu. Goddess Shakthi has Shankhanidhi and Padmanidhi.
Dwarapalas are placed on the gopurams- towers facing all four cardinal directions. Apart, inside the temple complex you may find them guarding the gates facing all the four directions around the hall and sanctum.
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| Kapaleeswar temple, Chennai.dreamstime.com dreamstime.com |
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| kapaleeswar temple, Chennai.dreamstime.com |
Above image: Dwarapalas on Gopuram, Kapaleeswarer temple, Chennai dedicated to Shiva.................
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| a dwarapala, Srirangam Ranganathar temple.dreamstime.com |
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| Dwarapalas at the 2nd entrance gate, big temple, Thanjavur meer.com |
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| Dwarapala &elephant, Tiruvannamalai temple, TN.dreamstime.com |
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| Dwarapalas, Tiruvannamalai temple, TN.dreamstime.com |
Above images: A rare image of Dwarapalaka, guarding the door and is flanked by an elephant. Detail of Eastern Gopuram at Thiruvannamalai Shiva temple dedicated to Arunachaleswar, as seen from inside the temple complex.......
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| Dwarapala on north gopuram, Madurai Meenakshi temple. dreamstime.com |
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| Dwarapala on gopuram, Madurai Meenakshi temple. dreamstime.com |
Almost all temples in southern India dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Parasakthi feature dwarapalas at the entrance of sanctum or other places. They also guard the abode or sanctum of the main deity's consort in a separate shrine. In many historical temples large size dwarapalas are placed at the entrance gopurams or towers. Example; Thanjavur big temple- the second entrance has tall sentinels in stone on either side facing the east direction. The first entrance has dwarapalas at higher levels. The appearance of the Dwarapalas differs among the temples based on Agama shastras being followed by the temples and equal importance is given to them in most of the temples. Almost all offerings made to the prime deity are also offered to the Dwarapalas. Further, when the temple priests open or close the sanctum each day, they silently pray to the guards on either side.
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| Female dwarapalas in a temple dedicated to goddess.istockphoto.com |
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| female dwarapalas , Mariamman temple (Sakthi), Singapore. dreamstime.com/ |
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| Chidambaram temple tower,dwarapalas on different tiers .dreamstime.com |
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| Dwarapala left side, Hoysaleswara temple, KA voyage361.com |
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| Dwarapalas, Hysaleswara temple, KA voyage361.com |
Above image: The Dwarapalakas and the lintel work above at the south entrance. The most beautiful sculpture in Hoysaleshwara temple of Karnataka are the two sculptures of Dwarapalas. Unfortunately, the hands are damaged by vandals. It is rare to see bejeweled dwarapalas ..............
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| Vishnu's dwarapalas. upload.wikimedia.org |
Above image: Jaya-Vijaya - the Dwarapalas of the god Vishnu's abode Vaikuntha are often depicted as guarding the doors. Here they are guarding the sanctum of the Vishnu temple, Chennakesava Temple, Karnataka................
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| Dwarapala, Madurai Meenakshi temple,TN.flicker.com |
Similarly, the Dvarapalas in a Shiva temple take after Virabhadra, the ferocious aspect of Shiva. They look fierce with eyes popped up, protruding curved sharp canine teeth, horns (at times). They have thick mustaches and wear the emblems of Shiva, such as the stripes of ash, animal hides, long flowing unkempt hair etc. They carry a trident, mace, broad-sword and a noose. They look fearsome with intimidating stance and gestures cautioning the people to focus on the divinity inside the shrine. The features of the Dvarapalas of Shiva are mentioned in Uttarardha -Kashyapa Shilpa Sastra
In the Shakti tradition the Dvarapalas of the female deities are fearsome looking females with wild unkempt hair, long protruding teeth and tongue spread out of the open mouth, carrying tridents, etc. Quite often they are portrayed with flashy eyes, long protruding teeth The female Dvarapalas have attributes of the presiding goddess and are destroyers of evils and protectors of the good.
The hand mudras displayed by dwarapalas silently convey certain message to the devotees entering the holy premises. Tarjanit mudra: It indicates that we must enter into holy place with reverence and pay respect to the deity by focusing our mind on him. Chanting matras on the deity is well and good or simply meditate on him. Suchi Mudra: The hand gesture is such that one of the hands is directed towards the god inside the temple implying go inside, pray to god with devotion. Repose trust in him and seek his blessing to get rid of your sins and negative thoughts. Vismaya hasta: This particular mudra indicates the astonishment on the part of the devotee. Leaving all your problems and worries at the feet of the lord, you feel sort of elated. A positive thought permeates through your body that the ''Almighty'' will fulfil your desires and you will see the light at the end of the tunnel. Image Credit: dreamstime.com
 - an integral element in Hindu temple architecture){kind=link}