Dome

Overall view, standing, hands in the Anjali mudra; Appar ("Father") was one of the most important Nayanars, a group of 63 saints (also saint poets) in the 6th to 8th century who were devoted to the Hindu god Shiva in Tamil Nadu. His full name includes Tirunavukkarasar ("King of the Tongue, Lord of Language"); he was a seventh-century Saiva Tamil poet-saint. This poetry is expressed as hymns; some are set to various panns, the melodic modes of ancient Tamil music. As a boy Appar joined a Jain monastery but later returned to Saivaism. Appar is frequently shown standing, hands in the Anjali mudra. Statue from from Mariyur, Undivided Thanjavur District. Source: Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page (accessed 5/6/2015)