A light from the 15th century was discovered at a temple in Karnataka

• An antique lamp, believed to be from the 15th century, has been discovered in the Anantapadmanabha temple in Udupi, Karnataka.

• The lamp, believed to be a blend of Shiva and Vishnu, reflects the daily rituals of both cults.

• The lamp was donated by Basavannaras Banga to the temple in 1456 CE, as indicated in a stone inscription in the inner prakara.

• The lamp features narrative sculptures of a Puranic story, with Lord Shiva in a dancing pose, Brahma holding a sacred book, Indra holding ‘vajra’, Anantapadmanabha standing with four hands, and Garuda depicted in a standing pose.

• The lamp also features different headgear, suggesting that the gods prayed for the protection of the three worlds out of fear of Lord Shiva’s destructive dance.