Did some digging here is what i found, the location is in Lepakshi, India. Pretty fascinating site really, after some reading I would love to go
visit the place.
From Wiki:
en.wikipedia.org...
Lepakshi is an ultimate testimony for Vishwakarma Brahmins who sculpted these temples. It is believed that noted Vishwakarma Amarashilpi
Jakkanachari took part in the planning the architecture of these temples. There are many shila shasanas that the famous sculptors like Dakoju, Maroju
took part in this temple sculpture.
...and more.
There are many specialities in this temple like rock chain, Vastu Purush, Padmini race Lady, Hanging Pillar , Durga Paadam, Lapakshi saree
designs etc. On the walls of this temple, there are several stories like mahabhaaratha, ramayana etc are sculpted. Also on the roof there are so many
beautiful paitings done by natural colour mixtures. One more famous spot in this temple is "Eyes of Viroopaakshanna". As the history says, Due to
king's misunderstanding with this temple builder, king ordered to make him blind. Hearing this the builder plucked his own eyes and throw at this
temple walls. Till date one can find those blood scars on that particular wall.
The image of the footprint is from what i could find called the Durga-padam. I am working on a translation but i speak neither Hindi or sanskrit so
it will be a crapshoot.
dur·ga/ˈdo͝orgä/
A fierce goddess, wife of Shiva, often identified with Kali. Which would make sense considering the location of this glyph.
not sure about padam...could mean a number of things, I did find it interesting though that there is another place in India called Sri Vaari Paadam
(the spelling is ambiguous here, some have it spelled padma), but it is compelling because of this location it is said that:
Sri Vaari Padam is a place on the hills where you can see the feet of Lord Shri Venkateshwara.Its said that the Lord descended on the earth
first at this place.
The second image is called the 'dinner plate' or 'color palate,' and it is also found in Lepakshi. I cannot postulate its meaning but considering the
number of famous Brahmin artisans that worked on this temple I am sure that it was not placed in vain and may have even been utilitarian.
Thanks for the post, S&F gave me something fun to look up while i migrate data at work. Neat Stuff!
cs
Edit: to add that it would also not surprise me to find that this particular footprint was encouraged from a natural impression in the stone. The
artists that sculpted at this site were some of the most renowned in ancient India who could have easily chiseled those details in. Feet play an
important role in Indian spirituality, to have an ancient Brahmin temple revering immensely important icons with one of these worked into it is not
that unusual or unexpected.
edit on 13-1-2012 by clowdstalker because: (no reason given)