Varaha in the Early Chalukyan caves, temples

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                                                                 Badami Cave III 

Discussing the ‘Vishnu Cult in Karnataka’ Shrinivas Padigar gives the first epigraphic record to establish that the Badami Chalukyas could have been Vaishnavas or Bhagavatas – the Mudhol copper plate record of Pulekesi I’s son Pugavarma from Malkhed that records renewal of grant to god Varahidevasvamin. This Varaha temple he infers could have existed much before the 6th century inscription. Their affinity towards Varaha is evident from the fact that the royal emblem of Chalukyas was the boar. The Mangalesa Kalmane or the Mangalesa Cave in Badami records the direct affiliation wherein he is called a “parama bhagavata”. That cave, Badami Cave III has the all important inscription that helps date (dated 578 CE, reign of Kirtivarman I) the caves is found inscribed to the left of the Varaha image. “This placement was perhaps no coincidence. The Varaha in addition to being their dynastic symbol also symbolized Chalukyas role as protectors of the earth”. (VARAHA MOTIF IN THE CHALUKYAN ROCK-CUT CAVES AT BADAMI by Preeti Sharma). From Guptas, to Chalukyas to Pallavas the Varaha has been an important symbol, and their iconographic depictions are grand and significant. Chalukyas called themselves Prithvi Vallabhas, taking inspiration from the avtara of Varaha who rescued Mother Earth. To also quote from the invocations used in Pulekesi II’s inscriptions:

Jayaty avishkritam vishnor varahamkshobitarnavam
Dakshinonnata damshtragra visranta bhuvanam vapuh 


                                                         Ravanapadi cave, Aihole

                                                           Durga Temple, Aihole

There are variations in the way Varaha has been depicted at Badami’s Cave II and III, the Mahakuta temple, the Ravanapadi cave, and the Aihole Durga temple. Would leave here with a quote on the iconographic sanction of Varaha as found in the Vishnudarmottara Purana: “NriVaraha stands on four armed sesha, whose two hands carry hala and musala and the remaining two are poised in Anjali Mudra. He is in alidha pose. Goddess Earth rests on Varaha’s left arm both her hands being in Namaskara attitude. The God holds sankha in the same hand as rests the Goddess while in three remaining hands carry padma, chakra and gada.”  Badami Cave III Varaha is exquisite and what captures our eyes are the comfortably perched Bhudevi, lifted up by Varaha, and her feet resting on padma, and Varahas left foot though standing on Sesha is resting a beautiful padma. At Ravanapadi the chakra is in prayoga form, and Bhu is comfortably seated. 

                                                                Badami Cave II

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