Dasavatara shrine

[1] The term Dashavatara refers to the ten main incarnations of Vishnu, generally displayed together in panels and reliefs.

The base, covered completely with ivory sheet, has the traditional South Indian design of flowers, and is decorated with several knobs fixed at the bottom step.

An ivory strip on the wooden edges of the steps and base of the shrine depicts a foliage pattern.

The Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha and Kalki images are depicted as four-armed, which conveys the idea of Vishnu's supremacy.

All the incarnations are depicted wearing a dhoti as a lower garment, and are adorned with items of jewellery such as necklaces, bangles, armlets, and the kiritamukuta, a crown worn by Vishnu.

The Dasavatara shrine
A magnified image of the Dashavatara upon the Dasavatara shrine