The Art Gallery in the City Palace is worth a visit. Very well laid out with good exhibits and descriptions. View of the corridor. Captions for pic taken from the board i.e. placed with each exhibit.
Mahavira is the 24th Jain Tirthankara. Image found close to Shree Eklingnath ji temple. Like most tirthankaras he is depicted in Lotus (Padmasana) posture with both his feet resting on top of
his thighs. The 2 flying figures at the top are known as Maladharas (garland holders). The 2 lion figures below him permit his identification as Mahavira. Period 1000-1100 CE.
Navagrahas (Nine Planets) 800-900 CE found around Eklingji temple. Planets are traditionally carved on rectangular slabs and bring protection to temples. Planets are Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangal (Mars),
Budh (Mercury), Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (North lunar Node) and Ketu (South Lunar Node). They look alike adorned with garlands except Rahu, who is shown
as a half figure with hands tarpana mudra (offering gesture) & Ketu (who has a snake tail & canopy). In Photo Gallery Tamil Nadu are pics of Navagraha temples.
PATRALEKHA SUNDARI in the Act of Writing 1000-1100 CE, around Eklingji Temple. Standing in a S-curved Tribhanga posture, this damsel thru the tools she carries, could be a writer. She holds
a pen in her right hand, while dipping it into a pot of ink, held aloft by a female attendant & her left palm probably holds a palm leaf, on which she would write.
Mahishasura Mardini (slayer of the buffalo demon) 800-900 CE around Eklingji temple. It is the name of Goddess Durga, when in the act of slaying buffalo demon Mahisa. With the 8 arms
symbolising her power, she is holding a sword, discus, shield & a trident. With her lower left hand she is holding one demon by the hair. Another demon is visible on the right & one is resting on
the ground. Her right foot is firmly planted on the decapitated body of the buffalo from which the demon arises. Her lion-mount is biting the buffalo`s back on the left.
Puroshottam Ji 1800-1900 CE around Eklingji temple. In Hinduism, nagas (snakes) are great objects of worship as they bring prosperity & fertility to their venerators. The sun and moon
figure on both sides of the snake suggest that it might be a memorial stone dedicated to an ancestor Puroshottam.
Certain changes took place in the 11th century. Board tells you about it. I have taken select sculptures and shared, there are many score. Some of the sculptures are sent to exhibitions
abroad for display.
Left to right is Surasundari, Nayak, Surasundari with a Deer, 4th one help with description. Surasundari is standing in a slight tribhanga posture, her body delineating in a S-shape. The term Nayaka is used to refer to male
characters in literature, poetry and by extension their depiction in fine arts. 3rd this smiling beauty accompanied by a deer in standing in a slight tribhanga (5-shaped) posture. She wears a
delicate lower garment and has lots of jewellery.
Image of INDRA, The King of Gods, 1100-1200 CE found close to Eklingji temple. Indra is the ruler of heaven and the God of rains and thunderstorms. He is holding the ankusha (elephant goad)
which is one of his attributes and his mount the white elephant, Airavata, is lying at this feet. There is a temple dedicated to Indra on Sukumvit Street in Bangkok.
Sharing some pics of Amar Mahal. Pic tells you about the palace.
U see Buggy (carriage). This carriage was made out of silver crafted abroad. It was a gift from the royal house of Bikaner to celebrate a marriage between the Bikaner and Mewar families.
Jaali work inside Amar Mahal. Best part about the City Palace is that display and information are very good with easy to understand directions.
HOWDAH (Elephant Litter) late 19th century. Animals most associated with Rajput royalty are horse and elephant. Their importance was evident on days of religious or royal significance when
they would be bedecked. The Howdah seen here was used by the ruler to sit on top of a elephant for military, state or religious processions. Also the elephant would be decorated
with a huge variety of textiles & ornaments on head, legs & neck. Saw howdah in Mysore Palace too.
Next pic is of a marriage mandap. This explains the mandap in detail.
Pic of Mandap. Friends Udaipur is a awesome place, must visit. Keep four to five days. Use base to visit Kumbalgarh Fort, Chittorgarh Fort, Ranakpur temple, Shreenathji, Lakes of Jaisamand,
Rajsamand, Udai Sagar. In Udaipur must see Shilp Gram, Sajjangarh Fort, Light & Sound Show at City Palace, sunset from City Palace or Amrehi Ghat, a lit up City Palace and Fateh Sagar Lake.