ananthashayanam.in A carving in progress
Detail of the unfinished kumbil-wood carving: Vishnu asleep on the serpent Adisesha, with Brahma seated on the lotus that rises from his navel, and the faces of the Dikpalakas behind.
Vishnu in yoga nidra, with Brahma on the navel lotus. Still on the workbench, before sanding and finish.
Being carved now

Ananthashayanam

അനന്തശയനം

Vishnu resting on the serpent Anantha, carved by hand in kumbil wood. The full story of the panel will be here once it is installed.

Size
165 × 93.5 cm
Wood
Kumbil (Gmelina arborea)
Style
Kerala mural idiom, in relief
Begun
Full-size drawing, July 2025 · carving from August 2025
So far
More than 2,100 hours with chisel and mallet
Indra, carved in kumbil wood: jewelled crown, Vaishnava mark on the forehead, hands joined in namaskara, with a gentle smile.

Indra Face 1

King of the gods and guardian of the east. The first face to receive its eyes: an iris ring with a drilled pupil.

The sage Bhrigu, carved in kumbil wood: heavy lids, deep forehead lines, a long beard and hands joined in namaskara.

Bhrigu Face 8

The elder rishi, with heavy lids and the lines of age. Each iris turns in a clockwise spiral, mirrored by the young Markandeya at face 2.

Eleven faces above the sleeper

The guardians of the eight directions, two rishis and Garuda, each with his own eyes and his own emblem in the crown. The finished page will let you tap each face to meet him.

  1. 1Indra
  2. 2Markandeya
  3. 3Agni
  4. 4Yama
  5. 5Nirriti
  6. 6Varuna
  7. 7Vayu
  8. 8Bhrigu
  9. 9Kubera
  10. 10Ishana
  11. 11Garuda