Goddess Riding a Bird

Airakkal Mandapa, Minakshi Temple

The thousand-pillared hall, occupying the northeast corner of the temple, actually boasts 985 pillars, according to the Blue Guide. The hall contains many stunning sculptures-in-the-round, such as this four-armed goddess riding a bird, which are conceived so three-dimensionally that they seem barely attached to their supporting pillars. The goddess holds a vajra aloft in her rear left hand.

For similar sculptures, see the next page and the sculptures in Alagar Kovil.