Tamil Nadu News

Gajasamharamurti Chola Sculptures

August 7 , 2026 8 hrs 0 min 92 0

Chola-period Gajasamharamurti sculptures in Tamil Nadu highlight the artistic excellence of ancient bronze and stone sculpture traditions.
Vazhuvur in Mayiladuthurai district is one of the Ashta Veerattanams (eight sacred Shiva temples) where Lord Shiva is believed to have displayed his heroic acts.
The Veeratteswarar Temple, Vazhuvur, houses a famous bronze idol of Gajasamharamurti, depicting Lord Shiva after defeating the elephant demon Gajasura; the idol is generally dated to the reign of Rajaraja I (Chola dynasty).
Gajasamharamurti represents the fierce form of Lord Shiva, known in Tamil as Yanai Uritha Thevar (the Lord who flayed the elephant demon’s skin), unlike Nataraja, which represents Shiva as the Cosmic Dancer.
Another important Gajasamharamurti sculpture is found at Brahmapuriswarar Temple, Pullamangai, Thanjavur district, while a stone sculpture from Darasuram Temple is preserved in the Thanjavur Maratha Palace campus art gallery.