Gajasura
Encyclopedia
In Hindu mythology
Hindu mythology
Hindu religious literature is the large body of traditional narratives related to Hinduism, notably as contained in Sanskrit literature, such as the Sanskrit epics and the Puranas. As such, it is a subset of Nepali and Indian culture...

, Gajasura (elephant demon) is the name used to refer to demon
Demon
call - 1347 531 7769 for more infoIn Ancient Near Eastern religions as well as in the Abrahamic traditions, including ancient and medieval Christian demonology, a demon is considered an "unclean spirit" which may cause demonic possession, to be addressed with an act of exorcism...

 Nila
Nila
Nila can refer to:* Nila River or Bharathapuzha, is a river in the Indian state of Kerala.* Nila Håkedal* Meera Chopra - a.k.a Nila, a South Indian actress* Pulau Nila, a small Indonesian volcanic island in the Banda Sea...

 who entered the body of an elephant and attacked Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...

. Shiva, not wanting to hurt the innocent elephant, decided to kill the demon from within the elephant. Shiva too entered the elephant and performed the cosmic dance, Tandava
Tandava
' or ', the divine art form, is a dance performed by the god Shiva, who is revered by Hindus. According to Hindu mythology, Shiva’s Tandava is a vigorous dance that is the source of the cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution...

, thus killing the demon Gajasura.

This earned the lord the title of Gajasuramardhana. The ancient temple at Halebidu
Halebidu
Halebidu is located in Hassan District, Karnataka, India. Halebidu was the regal capital of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century. It is home to one of the best examples of Hoysala architecture in the ornate Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples. Halebidu literally means ruined city...

, depicts the battle scene in the form of a sculpture on the main temple wall. The sculpture is known for its highly intricate work.
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