Emerald - Maragatha Lingams - Know Our Tamil Hindu Religion

Emerald (Maragatha) Lingams and Idols in Tamil Nadu Temples

Between fourth and twelfth centuries the huge temple complexes were raised by Chola, Pandiya, Pallava and Vijayanagara kings in South India. The remnants of stone architecture could be dotted all over India.  Each Hindu temple is normally dedicated to the principal deity and there will be sub-ordinate deities associated with the principal deity. 

The principal Hindu deities mostly represented Hindu temples include Lord Siva, Lord Vishnu, goddess Parvathi (consort of Lord Siva), Lord Vinayaka or Ganesha and Lord Subramanya. Lord Siva is usually represented as Siva Lingam. Siva Lingam is known as an icon of strength and fertility power. Another well known format of Siva is Lord Nataraja (the Lord of Dance). Lord Vishnu icons pose in three different forms – standing, sitting and lying. Most distinct form is Lord Ranganatha reclining on serpent bed. The icon serves as a tangible link between the worshiper and God. The image is often considered a manifestation of God, since God is immanent.

The Indian granite is regarded as the best variety. In exceptional occasions the South Indian sculptors chose emerald as the sculpting material.  Emerald is known as the gemstone from ancient times. The emerald stone traditionally deemed as the antidote of poison, is also associated with Garuda. Emerald is the naturally occurring mineral - silicate of beryllium and aluminum. It is obtained from as the hexagonal and pyramidal crystals. 

The natural and flawless emerald is regarded as the rare variety. The chromium content of the mineral beryl influences the natural color. The color and brightness determine the quality. Some varieties are in pale green in color or bluish green and some other varieties range from grass green to dark green colors.  The toughness of the stone according to Moh’s scale (hardness) is measured between 7.5 and 8.0 and since it brittle easily, extra care is required while sculpting. Of course you will also get synthetic emerald like stones.

The Religious Agamas (Saiva and Vaishnava), Shilpa Shastras and Hindu iconography speak volumes about this subject. The symbols and forms of Hindu icons show large variations from one period to the other; one region to the other and one sect of followers to the other. The Hindu iconography comprises the elements of Hindu temple architecture and ornamentation. It also provides ‘iconometric measurements’ and guidelines for sculpting the icons Hindu gods and goddesses. The well known Shilpa shastra text is called ‘Shipa Ratnakara.’

Most of the icons are seen mounted on some specific vehicles (vahanam). The hands (four or eight – some times more) bear weapons, flower, book, holy water pot, fire, snake, drum, rosary, conch, wheel etc., The Hindu iconography includes many guidelines and rules for sculpting various forms of Tamil icons.