Betegārthi (Huntress) – Proud madanike after a successful hunt
Proud betegarthi (huntress) after a successful hunt
Betegarthi is a huntress, indicated by the bow on her left shoulder and an arrow (only a small piece remains) in her right hand. She seems to have finished a successful hunt, indicated by the lady on the bottom right who is seen carrying on her shoulder a kill, which appears to be a deer, from the hunt.
The lady on the bottom left, who most likely helped in the hunt, is seen carrying a sword-like object. There is a small mysterious figure with a puzzled facial expression sitting next to this lady.
As you can see from the image, this bracket figure is carved with amazing details. Betegārthi’s majestic stance and facial expression show her pride after a successful hunt. Notice her left toe, which is up slightly as if she is about to move.
Betegārthi is one of the 38 bracket figures mounted atop a pillar on the exterior wall surrounding the navaranga of the temple. Each of these figures is attached to an inclined bracket placed just below the eaves of the temple. The base of the sculpture is mounted on the side of a pillar just below its capital.
This madanike (also known as shilābālike) is mounted on the right most pillar located at the north entrance of the temple. She is figure number 23 in the navaranga layout.
Other Shilābālikes
– Darpana Sundari, Sukha Bhashini, Nātya Sundari, Gāna Sundari, Kesha Sundari, Tribhangi, Nagna Sundari, Kapāla Durga, Koravanji, Nātya Mohini, Betegārthi
Male Bracket Figures
– Flute playing male musician
– Narthaka – Davane playing male dancer
– Davane playing male musician
Related Pages
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Bracket Figures
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Navaranga
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Garbhagriha Outer Wall
– Somanathapura Keshava Temple – A Masterpiece of Hoysala Temple Art
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