Shiva

Sritattvanidhi written by the Maharaja of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wodeyar III, calls the different forms of Shiva revered in the Shivagamas of southern Shaiva Siddhanta sect of Shaivisam, as Panchavimsatilīlāmūrti (twenty five sportive forms). These forms are based on Puranas and Ithihasa (history) in which Shiva's divine play is explained with different stories. Most of these forms are present in South Indian temples as main deities of sanctum or sculptures and reliefs in the outer walls of Shiva temples. Stucco sculptures of these twenty five manifestations of Shiva are installed in the outer precincts on the 20-ft high wall on the western and northern side.