Our Iconography

Kaṭāñjana also called Pakṣaśila - is a balustrade i.e. vertical slab generally decorated placed adjacent on either sides of Sopāna (staircase) of a temple. Yali Kaṭāñjana at Veerabadra Temple, Lepakshi built by Veeranna & Virupanna Nayaka, Governors of Penukonda under Achyuta Devaraya of Vijayanagara dynasty in 1530 AD.  These Balustrades (hand railings) are entirely made of a one single stone, decorated by a Vyāla or an elephant on the outer face. They may be simple in their carving or ornate- with various divine or mythical themes. Kaṭāñjana (balustrade-partially ruined) on either side of Sopana (staircase) at 15CE Vijayanagara era Bhimeśvara Temple at Pushpagiri, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh When a balustrade has an elephant carving, it is called an Hastihasta (हस्तिहस्त). They are usually seen in Shaivite shrines. Often  the elephant is carved in a full length, but sometimes only the fore part of the animal is carved.  Hastihasta- only forepart of Elephant carved at 15 ...