Kirtimukha

Kirtimukha is the name of a swallowing fierce monster face with huge fangs, and gaping mouth, very common in the iconography of Hindu temple architecture in India and Southeast Asia Story of "Kirti Mukha", a motif found frequently in Door frames, Temple Towers, Frames of God's & Goddesses and in Decorative elements. (Kirti Mukha is different from Simha Mukha) As per Skanda Purana, King Jalandhara, after acquiring immense power challenges Shiva to give Parvati. Angered Shiva creates a lion faced monster out of his 3rd eye to eat away Jalandhara. Realising the mistake Jalandhara pleads & Shiva forgives. The Monster asks Shiva - "Now whom shall I eat". Shiva responds in lighter mood saying "Eat Yourself". Immediately monster starts consuming itself from feet & only when face remained, Shiva notices, appreciates the devotion and names the monster "Kirti Mukha" (the Face of Glory) blessing him to be on the door frames of his temples. Shiva says "If someone fails to worship you, he cannot reach me anytime". There after frame of every god has Kirtimukha. Kirti Mukha is a symbol of how human have to consume his own ego to unravel the endless knowledge. Kirti mukha is found in every element of temples and in frames of all Gods & Goddesses.

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