Kotravai sculpture

An eighth-century Kotravai sculpture, dating back to the Pallava period, has been uncovered near Ulundurpet in Tamil Nadu, providing insights into the region’s cultural and artistic heritage.

• The discovery, made in farmland at Pilrampattu village in Kallakurichi, provides insights into the region’s cultural and artistic heritage.

Key Details of the sculpture:

• The Kotravai sculpture is made of a five-feet-high and four-feet-wide slab stone.
• It features Kotravai, depicted with eight hands, indicating its origin in the eighth century during the Pallava period.

Artistic Features:

• The sculpture exhibits local artistic styles, including a unique crown, batrakundalams on ears, sarapali neck ornament, tholvalai on shoulders, kaivalai in all hands, and marbu kachai covering the chest.
• Various elements such as chakkara, sword, bell, and abhaya mudra are depicted in the right hands, while the left hands show conch, bow, shield, and Uru Mudhra, along with bangles.

Symbolic Elements:

• Presence of trishul (soolam) and lion (simmam) on the right side of the head, and blackbuck (kavarimann) on the left side.
• Kotravai is portrayed standing on the head of a buffalo, with two guards on each side.

Cultural Significance:

• The discovery adds to the cultural and historical significance of the region, providing a glimpse into the artistic styles and religious practices during the Pallava period.

Unique Crown:

• The sculpture’s crown is noted for its uniqueness compared to other eighth-century Kotravai sculptures found in the area.

About Kotravai:

• Kotravai, also spelled Kotravai or Korravai, is the Tamil goddess of war and victory.
• She is also the mother goddess and governs over fertility, agriculture, and hunters.
• Kotravai is considered one of the guardian deities who is invoked for strength, courage, and victory in warfare.
• In Tamil literature, especially in the Sangam poetry, Kotravai is portrayed as a powerful and fierce goddess who supports and empowers warriors on the battlefield.
• She is often described with attributes such as a spear, shield, and other war-related symbols.
• The worship of Kotravai reflects the martial ethos of the ancient Tamil society and their reliance on divine forces for success in conflicts.

Ref: Source