Mandapam

This rare and beautiful mandapam is from south India. This lost-wax cast brass mandapam (gopuram or temple tower) depicts Shiva’s Ganas on the four corners carrying the ornate tower. In Hinduism, the Ganas are attendants of Shiva and live on Mount Kailash. Ganesha was chosen as their leader by Shiva, hence Ganesha's title Ganesa or Ganapati, "lord or leader of the ganas". On the sides of the piece are the figures of Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva and the fourth is probably Shastha (a protective deity). Above these figures are the upper bodies of the Ganas which are surrounded by prabhavils with yalis at the apex. In this incredibly complex and fine piece there are also double sided Nandis on the four corners of the plinth.