| Maheshwaridevi
Temple (Gujarat) |
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| The genesis of
worship of mother-goddess can be traced to the remote past. The
earliest extent depiction of a group of Matrkas (Divine mothers) in Indian sculpture may be pushed back safely to the
Kusana period. This cult, however, became popular during the Gupta an subsequent
periods. Likewise a number of records of the Calukyan kings, both eastern
and western, clearly points out the fact that they were staunch adherents of the
Matrka cult. |
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| The discovery of a number of schist sculptures
of fifth-sixth century A.D. from Samlaji has thrown a flood of light
on the art and iconography. This group of stone sculptures includes several
"Mother and child" specimens now preserved in the Baroda museum.
Similar specimens of high iconographic interest were obtained from the
neighbouring regions of Udaipur and Dungarpur in S.W. Rajasthan. |
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| Recently a similar group of Matrkas
sculptures of light green schist has been discovered lying in the open area of
the newly constructed Vyasesvara Mahadeva Temple at Mataria. It is a small
village situated at a distance of twelve km. to the east of Shahera in the
Panchamahals district of the Gujarat state. |
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| This group of seven Matrkas and an image of
Bhairava as the guardian deity, are carved of green schist. One of them is the
idol of Goddess Maheshwari. |
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This beautiful sculpture of Maheshwaridevi is
depicted seated on the back of her vehicle the bull in the Ardhaparyankasana
posture with the right leg folded.
 She carries a mirror in the left hand and
mango twigs in the right hand. Her playful child is trying to jump upward behind
her folded right leg. The coiffure is arranged elaborately with curls in front
and a bun-like top from which issue ringlets, the bun being tied by a wreath of
flowers with a central crest ornament of chakra motif. The Ratna-Kundalas of the
earlobe and simple Prabhavali at the back of the face add a charm to the entire
figure. She is also decked with ornaments like a simple Ekavali, armlets,
bracelets, anklets, jewelled kathimetahla etc. The Uttariya put on by the Goddess
is clearly visible near the elbow on either side. The lower garment (saree) is
of a very transparent texture. The amra-lumbi (mango twigs) in the right hand is
an interesting and uncommon depiction. |
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Reference: Matrka sculptures from Mataria
and Ardhanariswara
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From Tarsang (Panchamahals)
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By : V. H. Sonawane
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Courtesy: Mrs. Sheetal S. Mankar
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