Keśabandha
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Swami Harshananda
Keśabandha literally means ‘hair-style.
Evolution of Hair Art[edit]
Dressing up the hair, especially by tying it into different shapes, was a well-developed art in ancient and medieval country. It was but natural that this got reflected in the images of gods and goddesses also.
Hair Styles[edit]
Various such styles have been noticed and mentioned in the works on iconography. Sometimes, the hair is shaped as a crown. It is called ‘jaṭāmukuṭa’. Other styles are:
- Kākapakṣa - side-locks shown in the images of juvenile gods like Bālakṛṣṇa
- Alaka - curled hair
- Ekaveṇī - single plait
- Dome-like or oval shaped bun as in the images of Rukminī or Godādevī
- Others
Hair Decoration[edit]
Generally hair or hair locks may be decorated with flowers. They are even bedecked with jewels. Fierce deities are shown with decorations of coiled serpents.[1]
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore