Gandaberunda, also known as Berunda, is said to be a two-headed Hindu mythological bird with magical powers. Said to possess immense strength to deal with the ultimate forces of destruction, Gandaberunda is figured as an intricately sculpted motif in several Hindu temples.
In popular belief
In order to demonstrate its immense strength, Gandaberunda bird is said to be clutching elephants in his talons and beaks. To clearly depict and read the two-headed bird figure holding snakes in its beak on several Madurai coins, the bird is said to be a gigantic eagle. Sometimes, it is also considered a cross between an eagle and a bird. In several temple of Belur and Karnataka, Gandaberunda bird is worshipped as an incarnation of Vishnu. It is also a physical form of the Narasimha avatar of Mahavishnu. It is said that after the slaying of Hiranyakashipu, Lord Vishnu was so filled with rage that the demi gods feared him. To put an end to his anger and calm him down, Lord Shiva who was the best friend of Narayana, incarnated himself as Sharabha avatar (a beast with a part lion and part eagle body). Vishnu incarnated himself as Gandaberunda out of rage, and Gandaberunda feared Sharabha. So, there was a great struggle that continued for 18 days till Gandaberunda tore apart Sarabha, to calm down.
Official symbol
Found in several temple carvings all over South India, Gandaberunda is the official symbol of the Karnataka state government. Today the royal insignia celebrates 500 years along with the 400 years of Dasara. According to several great historians, Gandaberunda was first used on the Vijayanagar coins. Since then several other Hindu dynasties used the symbol in their coins.
In popular belief
In order to demonstrate its immense strength, Gandaberunda bird is said to be clutching elephants in his talons and beaks. To clearly depict and read the two-headed bird figure holding snakes in its beak on several Madurai coins, the bird is said to be a gigantic eagle. Sometimes, it is also considered a cross between an eagle and a bird. In several temple of Belur and Karnataka, Gandaberunda bird is worshipped as an incarnation of Vishnu. It is also a physical form of the Narasimha avatar of Mahavishnu. It is said that after the slaying of Hiranyakashipu, Lord Vishnu was so filled with rage that the demi gods feared him. To put an end to his anger and calm him down, Lord Shiva who was the best friend of Narayana, incarnated himself as Sharabha avatar (a beast with a part lion and part eagle body). Vishnu incarnated himself as Gandaberunda out of rage, and Gandaberunda feared Sharabha. So, there was a great struggle that continued for 18 days till Gandaberunda tore apart Sarabha, to calm down.
Official symbol
Found in several temple carvings all over South India, Gandaberunda is the official symbol of the Karnataka state government. Today the royal insignia celebrates 500 years along with the 400 years of Dasara. According to several great historians, Gandaberunda was first used on the Vijayanagar coins. Since then several other Hindu dynasties used the symbol in their coins.
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