नवव्या शतकात लिहिल्या गेलेल्या शिल्प प्रकाश या ग्रंथात म्हटले आहे "विना नारीं यथा वासः क्रीडा नारीं विना

 यथा ॥ ३६२ ॥ विना च ललनां लोके कीर्तिर्जायेत निष्फला" अर्थात "बायको शिवाय घर जसं, स्त्री शिवाय रम्य 

स्थळ जसे निरस होईल, तसं सुरसुंदरीशिवाय एखादी वास्तू निकृष्ट होईल आणि फळ देणार नाही.

याच ग्रंथात १६ प्रकारच्या सुरसुंदरी सांगितल्या आहेत. यातील काही या अल्बम मध्ये एकत्र करून मांडत आहे. 

तसेच नंतरच्या कलाकारांनी बहुदा "creative liberty" घेऊन यात काही भर टाकली आहे. त्या देखील यात 

येतीलच.

शिल्पा प्रकाश या ग्रंथात मुख्यतः वास्तु कशी असावी, त्यात कुठल्या मुर्ती कश्या असाव्यात या विषयी खुप सखोल 

वर्णने आहेत. या सुरसुंदरीची अत्यंत तपशीलवार माहिती या ग्रंथात मिळते.

The ninth century book, Shilpa Prakash describes the importance of women through two shlokas. They indicate that a house will remain only house if wife is not there and similarly the temple will be of lesser quality and wont bear fruits.

In this book, 16 types of beauty are described. Some of these are put together in this album. Also the later artists have probably added something to this by taking "creative liberty". They will also come.

Shilpa Prakash's book mainly has very detailed descriptions about how Vastu should be, which idols should be in it. Very detailed information about this beauty is available in this book.

Aihole ancient India Archaeology belure chikmaglur dalmalika darpana Heritage of India Indology mugdha nupurpadika patra lekha shlipa prakas sursundari Temple Architecture

Kubera Lord of North (Dikpala), the custodian of wealth of Gods and the protector of people (Lokpala).  

He is belived to be half brother of Ravana who threw him out from Sri Lanka and abducted the wealth of Gods. Kubera then moved to Alaka. 

The vedic texts described Kubera as lord of Evil spirits which changed with time later in Puranas and other epics. 

In sculptures, Kubera is generally depicted as one with big belly and with a bag of Mongoose. Often he has some deformity as three legs or broken teeth. The consort of Kubera is Bhadra or Kauberi. 

Kubera is also popular in Jain and Buddhist Mythology  as well. 

One can often find Kubera as part of ceiling panels where Ashtadikpalas are depicted. 

ancient ancient India art History Bhadra handmade Iconography iconography of India incredible incredible India India Indology kauberi Kubera mongoose Sarvanubhuti sculptures SriLanka Yakshi

The first mention of Bhairava is from Shiv Puran. Shiva incarnated as Bhairava to destroy the ego of Brahma. The legend goes as follows: Brahma kept comparing himself to Shiva and then wanted the universe to worship him. Shiva then created Bhairava from a strand of his hair and then Bhairva effortlessly chopped a one of the five heads of Brahma. It is also believed that dogs are his Vaahana. Thus in sculptures, Bhairava is often depicted with one head in one of his hands and dogs licking the blood oozing out from the head.  

Another legend says, Shiva created Ashtang Bhairavas to destroy the asuras, they later on took Ashta Mashtruka as their consort and 64 Yoginis and 64 Bhairavas were born. Shiva as Kalbhairava is believed to be protecting the Shakti Piths. Buddhist people know Bhairava as fierce Manjushri. 

Clicks from 

1.Jagdamba Mandir, Tahakari, 

2. Kukadeshwar Mandir, Pur Taluk Junnar

3. Brahmagiri, Triambakeshwar 

bhadrakali bhairav Bhairava India Indology Kalbhairav Kalinjar Kedarnath Mahadev mahakaal mahakal Maharashtra rudra shiva Tahakari Temple Architecture thalapathy Ujjain