Episode 35

Vijayanagara:Art and Architecture p5: Gandabherunda : The Vanquisher Of Enemies

In this episode we shall look at a very interesting and powerful motif that was widely used by Vijayanagara royalty and especially by the Emperor Achyuta Devaraya who was the successor of Sri Krishna Deva Raya .

The motif in question is known as , “Gandabherunda”. “Bherunda” means terrific and frightful, a species of bird in Sanskrit; while Ganda is understood to imply a hero or warrior. This motif is the official emblem of the Karnataka State Government too.

Visual Notes:

  1. Karnataka's Eagle
  2. Gandabherunda Relief in Rameshwara Temple at Keladi - Zoomorphic Form
  3. Gadabherunda Relief in the ceiling of Brihadeshwara Temple - Zoomorphic Form
  4. Gandabherunda Emblem in Mysore Palace
  5. Gandabherunda - Heraldic Design - Coat of Arms
  6. Gandabherunda Image - Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel, Mysore
  7. One Bird Two Heads Article on Gandabherunda
  8. Our Mythological Birds Article on Gandabherunda
  9. The Mysore Royal Order Of The Gandabherunda
  10. Depiction of Gandabherunda on gold varaha coin of Achyuta Raya
  11. Ashtamukha Gandabherunda
  12. Gandabherunda - Anthropomorphic Form
  13. Shiva Sharabha and Narasimha Gandabherunda Fight
  14. Double Headed Eagle of the Holy Roman Empire
  15. Gandabherunda in Srirangam by Pandya Dynasty

About the Podcast

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Ithihasa India History Podcast
An Indic history podcast that explores different eras and periods of the vast expanse of India's unique history.

About your host

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Narendra Vikram

An Indian, who happens to be a Techie and a self taught history student. I love exploring geopolitics, world history, rise & fall of civilizations.

Over years, I have enjoyed learning about our past and realized that Humanity as such has a very volatile memory. One of the reasons why we as species keep making the same mistakes over last few thousand years.

The same wars are being fought with new twists and we keep digging at times a hole for ourselves in the same way as our ancestors did.

Why is it so difficult to remember the past? Or is it that we don't pay enough attention to it as it doesn't help pay our bills and serves of no utilitarian purpose?

Whatever the reasons, the past doesn't seem to forget us and keeps haunting many cultures, societies and nations even today.

This aspect fascinates me and this is an humble attempt to just share what I learnt and if needed re-learn it.

Disclaimer: No moral sermons will be given from a high horse.