Hindu Narrative

[Hauma Hamiddha]

There was a mention of the erotic sculpture in the Perur temple. Erotic sculptures are found in numerous temples all over India. In some cases there is a single small erotic depiction in one niche in the gopura or in others there cases there whole levels of the gopura devoted to them. I think the nAgeshvara temple in kumbhakoNam has a pretty impressive series. They may depict couples in coitus and other sexual play, single female figure as mentioned above, or males stimulating themselves etc.

<b>Why are these shown in the outer prakaras or gopuras of temples?</b>
If this question is asked to a modern Hindu you do not get one coherent answer:
-Some do not know they exist
-Some are ashamed
-Some say these are "tantric" temples.
-Others give explanations such as temples celebrate fertility or you give up sexual desires in the outer wall and enter the temple to only see the devatA or that it is for sex education.
Perhaps this lack of coherence in the answer reflects a very important break in the narrative amongst Hindus in this regard?

If you look at the texts of chitra-kala they do mention that painting erotic pictures (or probably making images) is a legitimate form of decoration as it represents plenty, prosperity and happiness.

Alternative a female figure exposing the yoni could be a lajjA-gaurI- a fertility symbol.