7623 - vyala (mythical animal) at Kodumbalur Movar temple
Yali( யாளி ) also known as Vyala or Vidala in Sanskrit) is a mythical creature seen in many Hindu temples, often sculpted onto the pillars. It may be portrayed as part lion, part elephant and part horse, and in similar shapes. These images or icons have been found on the entrance walls of the temples, and the graceful mythical lion is believed to protect and guard the temples and ways leading to the temple. They usually have the stylized body of a lion and the head of some other beast, most often an elephant (gaja-vyala). Other common examples are: the lion-headed (simha-vyala), horse-(ashva-vyala), human-(nir-vyala) and the dog-headed (shvana-vyala) ones.
So called Tiger Cave at Mahabalipuram is amazing mandapa - rock-cut shrine or most likely - platform for other religious rituals, resembling a pavillion. This artwork does not show tigers but yali (vyala) - mythical, extremely powerful creatures similar to lions. Thus in this respect the more correct name of this monument is Yali Mandapam.
The Yali with a stone rotating in its mouth proves the craftsmanship of the men who constructed this temple Taramangalam
7623 - vyala (mythical animal) at Kodumbalur Movar temple
Yali( யாளி ) also known as Vyala or Vidala in Sanskrit) is a mythical creature seen in many Hindu temples, often sculpted onto the pillars. It may be portrayed as part lion, part elephant and part horse, and in similar shapes. These images or icons have been found on the entrance walls of the temples, and the graceful mythical lion is believed to protect and guard the temples and ways leading to the temple. They usually have the stylized body of a lion and the head of some other beast, most often an elephant (gaja-vyala). Other common examples are: the lion-headed (simha-vyala), horse-(ashva-vyala), human-(nir-vyala) and the dog-headed (shvana-vyala) ones.
So called Tiger Cave at Mahabalipuram is amazing mandapa - rock-cut shrine or most likely - platform for other religious rituals, resembling a pavillion. This artwork does not show tigers but yali (vyala) - mythical, extremely powerful creatures similar to lions. Thus in this respect the more correct name of this monument is Yali Mandapam.
The Yali with a stone rotating in its mouth proves the craftsmanship of the men who constructed this temple Taramangalam