or clap. This is to show to Chandikeshwara that their hands are empty and they are not taking away any wealth of Shiva. Since, Chandikeshwara is always in deep meditation, this clicking / clapping sound is also to awaken Him before confirming to Him that no wealth is being taken away. In some Sanskrit works, however, Chandesha is instead said to be an incarnation of Shiva's anger. Chandesha is now often regarded as an exclusively South Indian figure, but he was once known in North India too, and probably also as far afield as Cambodia. Worship All Shiva temples in South India have a separate shrine for Chandesa, usually located opposite to the shrine of Durga. He is usually sported in seated posture with his left leg folded and his right hand holding an axe. Chandesa also has an image among the image of 63 Nayanmars in large Shiva temples. A Chola bronze of Chandikeswara, dated from 11th century was found from Thiruvenkadu in Nagapattinam district. The image with a height of is sported with Chandesa in seated posture with his folded left leg. The figure is shown seated in Bhadra peetah. The right hand shows kataka posture indicating the presence of parasur. He wears Jatamakuta, with the design of honeycomb and seen wearing the sacred thread. The bronze image is stored in the Bronze Gallery in the Government Museum, Chennai. Notes References Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend () by Anna Dallapiccola Nayanars