Wedding of Rama and Sita
The painting shown in the image depicts the scenes from the wedding of Rama and Sita based on the Hindu epic Ramayana. It is a part of the murals painted on the ceiling of the Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, Karnataka, India. Check the Hampi Virupaksha Temple Murals page for a detailed explanation of the paintings.
As you can see from the image, the wedding ceremony is underway. At the center are Rama and Sita with a tree in between. Behind Sita are her parents, Janaka and Maithili, and behind Rama are his parents, King Dasharatha and Kaushalya. Attending the wedding are rishis (sages), kings, princes, and ordinary folks from various kingdoms. While Rama is holding Sita’s hand, the attendees are throwing rice on them.
Notice the double-headed peacock-like bird painted on the upper-left and the upper-right corners of the central panel. Known as Gandaberunda, this mythical bird is associated with Vishnu and is also the state emblem of the state of Karnataka.
Other Paintings in the Virupaksha Temple Murals
– Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma
– Girija Kalyāna, Sita Swayamvara, Draupadi Swayamvara
– Dashāvatāra, Ashta Dikpālas
– Tripurantaka, Manmatha Vijaya
Related Pages
Hampi Virupaksha Temple Murals
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