Maha Narasimha (Chola Style)

An exquisite representation of Narasimha, the man-lion avatar of Lord Vishnu, presented in the iconic Chola bronze style. This statue showcases Narasimha's four-armed form, with his upper right hand holding a chakra and the upper left hand grasping a shanka, symbolizing his divine attributes and connection to Lord Vishnu. The two lower hands are extended in a gesture of blessing and protection, signifying the deity's benevolence towards devotees. Narasimha, as per Hindu mythology, is revered as the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He is known for his extraordinary form, which emerged to protect his devotee Prahlada from the tyrannical demon king Hiranyakashipu.
Hiranyakashipu had obtained a boon that granted him protection from being killed by man or beast, indoors or outdoors, during the day or night, and by any weapon. This rendered him seemingly immortal, and he used his newfound power to oppress and terrorize the world. In response to this boon situation, Lord Vishnu decided to take on a form that would neither be a man nor a beast, thereby bypassing Hiranyakashipu's boon. Lord Vishnu manifested as Narasimha, a half-man and half-lion avatar, and chose a unique time and place for the encounter, which was neither day nor night and occurred at the threshold of a courtyard (neither indoors nor outdoors).