Alexander Rea
1895
Three silver vahanas belonging to the Shiva Temple, Tiruvadi

Photograph
British Library
Shelfmark: Photo 1003/(2381), Item number: 10032381
 
Curatorial description (Accessed: 27 February 2017)
Photograph of three silver vahanas or vehicles from the Shiva Temple at Tiruvadi, taken by Alexander Rea around 1890. This sacred temple, known as Dakshina Kailasam, covers an area of 15 acres and consists of five enclosures or prakarams and a seven-tiered tower or Rajagopuram. Many inscriptions were found in the temple, which relate it to rulers of the Chola, Pandya and other dynasties. The view shows three silver vehicles from the temple, two in the form of the bull Nandi, the mount of the god Shiva and one representing the peacock, the mount of the god Karttikeya.
 
LL/73525