Surya

Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal

Surya, the god of the sun, is driven in his chariot across the heavens in this panel from the ceiling of the temple. This rather symmetric composition includes a radiant crown for the god; makaras disgorging smaller figures at his shoulders; Aruna ("Dawn"), his legless charioteer, at the bottom of the panel, holding the reins of seven horses representing the days of the week; a plethora of other divinities; and scalloped clouds (the usual convention) on either side. The archers standing by Surya's legs personify the light of Dawn, whose arrow-like rays dispell the darkness at the break of day.