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study of the Hindu Iconography as a whole would present a
complete picture portraying the hold of the faith on its followers
through the ages at the micro levels region wise study would bring
out the peculiarities of a particular area in relation to its socio
religious context in greater depth and detail. Regional differences
and chronological variations both in conception and execution make
such a study imperative.
Sources for the study of Hindu Iconography are rich and varied
and fall under the usual major category. The vast mass of sacred
literature in Sanskrit which may be classified as Vedic Puranic
and Agamic provides a useful background to the study of Hindu
Iconography.
Iconography of Vaishnava Avataras as being studied now is
based on any age old pattern. The same old pattern of identifying
images with the help of the some certain marks and attributes is
invariably being followed. It was absolutely necessary at a time
and is still useful. But for making the iconographic studies more
comprehensive and lively than these are, it is necessary to look at
the icons from various angles. What is more needed in this respect
is the application of various literary and epigraphical records which
are rarely been dealt, putting face to face with iconography. For
example, many times the epigraphical passages specially the
invocatory verses, enlighten the student of Iconography more than
so many heavily strained, pedantic and descriptions of the Silpa