The present book is on Saivism under the Imperial Colas as revealed through their Monuments. The author undertook extensive fieldwork in the entire stretch of the Kaviri delta with her guide. The book is in seven chapters, dealing with the following aspects: Historical Setting of the Colas, beginning with Vijayalaya to Rajaraja III; A Bird’s eye view of the Cola Temples based on the survey made of S.R. Balasubrahmaninan; Iconographic Programme in Cola Temples as under the Early, Middle and Later Colas, pointing out the stages of evolution; The Saivite pantheon as reflected in the Cola monuments, reflecting on the status of Saivism under the Colas. It presents a statistical account of the status of the various iconographical forms of the Hindu gods and goddesses which is most vital part of the book; Ritual orientation of the Siva temples; An examination of Saivism in retrospection; Saivism and its factions such as the Kalamukhas and Kapalikas.

An extensive, illustrated bibliography for the Hindu god Śiva in the arts of South and Southeast Asia, offering detailed indices and easy access to resource repositories.

The roots between the Hindu religion and the wider culture are deep and uniquely complex. No study of either ancient or contemporary Indian culture can be undertaken without a clear understanding of Hindu visual arts and their sources in religious belief and practice. Defining what is meant by religion - no such term exists in Sanskrit - and what is understood by Hindu ideals of beauty, Heather Elgood provides the best synthesis and critical study of recent scholarship on the topic. In addition, this book offers critical background information for anyone interested in the social and anthropological roots of artistic creativity, as well as the rites, practices and beliefs of the hundreds of millions of Hindus in the world today.

The 31 selected and revised articles in the volume Holy Ground: Where Art and Text Meet, written by Hans Bakker between 1986 and 2016, vary from theoretical subjects to historical essays on the classical culture of India. They combine two mainstreams: the Sanskrit textual tradition, including epigraphy, and the material culture as expressed in works of religious art and iconography. The study of text and art in close combination in the actual field where they meet provides a great potential for understanding. The history of holy places is therefore one of the leitmotivs that binds these studies together. One article, "The Ramtek Inscriptions II", was co-authored by Harunaga Isaacson, two articles, on "Moksadharma 187 and 239–241" and "The Quest for the Pasupata Weapon," by Peter C. Bisschop.

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

This Book Discusses Urbanism Not Merely In Terms Of Economy And Demography But Also As A Function Of Cola Imperialism And Bhakti Ideology. It Is Based On Extensive Fieldwork In Tanjavur, Kumbhakonam And Kanchipuram.