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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Hanuman knocking heads of Ravana's guards outside palace (Thai Ramayana mural)

About this photograph

Creator
Margery H. Freeman
Date created
Unknown
Location
Bangkok, Thailand
License
This photograph copyright ©2006. Terms of use

See this photograph in context

  • The Ramayana: The Hindu epic The Ramayana is retold through the mural, painting, and dance of Southeast Asia. (Page 3.8)

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Hanuman knocking heads of Ravana's palace guards on mural at Emerald Buddha Temple

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Hanuman is knocking together the heads of two of the demon king Ravana’s palace guards on this mural at the Emerald Buddha Temple. Two other guards try to pull their comrades away from Hanuman’s attack, while another flees and two more lay wounded or slain on the ground. These guards, fighting with machetes, all appear in human form although their skin varies in color from light tan to dark grey.

Hanuman decides to attack Ravana’s palace and guards after he locates Sita and tells her of Rama’s imminent arrival and plans for her rescue. This image, where Hanuman descends lithely down poles beside a circular well to seize the guards, shows how the powerful and clever monkey god can single-handedly defeat the hapless demons who defend Ravana’s palace.

This image was photographed in August 1984.